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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' 



MANUAL: 



A DIGEST AND COMMENTARY ON THE GENERAL LAWS 

AND CUSTOMS OF THE A. O. F., UNDER THE 

SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT OF THE 

UNITED STATES. 



BROTHERS M. L. MARKS, P.D.C.R., AND W, L KITTS, P.C..R. 



APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE S. H. C, 1879. 






PRINTED AXD PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT, 

A. O. F., U. S. A., BY THE SIXTH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 

1880. 






Price, One Dollar. 



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HS is i o 

) S so 



Entered according to the act of Congress, in tbe 1880, by M. L. Makes, and 

W. A. Kitts, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, 

at Washington, D. C. 



$ 



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[Extract from Minutes of S. H. G. Meeting.] 

This Manual was presented by the authors to the 

Subsidiary High Court at its annual meeting, held in 

St. Louis, Mo., August, 1879, for its approval and 

adoption, whereupon it was 

"Resolved — That a committee of three be appointed to 
examine and report upon the Manual as offered by Brothers 
Marks and Kitts." 

The H. C. E. appointed as such committee, Brothers 
Addenbrook, Hepburn and Livesay. 

The following report of the Committee was unani- 
mously adopted: 

"To the Officers and Delegates of the Fifth S. H. C. meet- 
ing : 

"We, your Committee on Manual have attended to our duty 
and would respectfully recommend that the Manual compiled 
by Brother M. L. Marks, P. D. C. E., and Brother W. A. Kitts, 
P. C. R, be adopted as the 'Manual of the Ancient Order of 
Foresters.' 

" Your Committee would also respectfully recommend that 
it be obligatory upon all Courts to purchase two copies, one for 
the C. K,., and one for the Secretary, and that it be printed, and 
bound in cloth, and sold to members of the Order at one dollar. 
"Your Committee would also further recommend that the 
resolution of the last H. C. M. be complied with, and that 
Brothers M. L. Marks and W. A. Kitts receive the best thanks of 
this meeting for their efforts in compiling the Manual. 
Respectfully submitted, 

Thos. Addenbkook, 
Gaeden Hepbubx, 
J. McD. Livesay." 



PREFACE. 



In preparing the Ancient Order of Foresters' Manual, 
the authors were prompted to supply that which would 
ensure uniform work and practice throughout the fra- 
ternity in the United States. They have particularly 
had in view the purpose of furnishing full and complete 
instructions in the management of Courts, and the 
proper methods to be pursued in fulfilling the laws and 
customs of our Order, under the jurisdiction of the 
Subsidiary High Court; summarizing and commenting 
upon its practices and customs in addition to quoting 
from the general laws. 

Our intention has been to place these facts in an 
interesting and readable form, with a view of making 
the Manual a pleasing study to any member of the 
fraternity who has any desire to become well acquainted 
with the workings of our institution, and to enable 
those having this desire, to become familiar with all 
that is necessary for the efficient management of a 
Court, and to make plain the rights, privileges and 
duties of all connected with the Order in the United 
States. 

Our purpose has also been to create that which will 



secure harmony, dissolve doubt, promote unity, and as 
a consequence, gain strength. We do not anticipate 
that it will be considered necessary to learn the 
Manual by rote, or in other words, commit all the 
details to memory; on the contrary, it is intended as 
a work of reference upon any one or more subjects 
relative to the laws and customs of our Order that may 
arise for the consideration and action of a Court, its 
officers, committees, or individual members. 

It is further intended that the Manual, if carefully 
examined, shall instil an assurance within the reader, 
that by following its directions all will be accomplished 
that is required to make him thoroughly cognizant of, 
and proficient in, his duties as a Forester; especially as 
an officer of our organization. This feeling of conn, 
dence, added to the exercise of ordinary common 
judgment, will, we believe, produce a contentment and 
satisfaction that will stimulate those affected, to renew- 
ed energy and labor of love in the work of An*cient 
Forestry. 

In the phraseology and composition of the Manual, 
it has been our aim to use the plainest and simplest 
language, and to give minute details when we have had 
reason to think the subject so treated, might be consid- 
ered ambiguous or difficult to comprehend; being 
prompted in this respect by considering the fact that 
the Manual is intended for the use of a body composed 
mainly of workingmen. 



We desire to impress upon the members of the 
Order that the Manual was not written as a catechism 
or ritual, to be committed to memory, except in a 
general way, for their guidance while participating 
in the regulations of the Ancient Forestry in the 
United States; and, moreover, it is to be used to refer to 
mainly, in single instances of doubt or inquiry, or in 
regard to any particular question relative to the matters 
of which it treats and decides authoritatively, as pro- 
claimed by its adoption by the Subsidiary High Court 
at St. Louis, Mo., in August, 1879. 

M. L. Marks, P. D. C. K. 

W. A. Kitts, P. C. R 



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ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL 



CHIEF RANGER. 

The C. R. should regard it as his imperative duty, 
not only to be in attendance himself at each Court 
meeting promptly at eight o'clock, but to impress 
upon his subordinate officers, and members, the im- 
portance and good effect of their attendance at the 
same hour, so that the business of the meeting may 
be disposed of promptly, the Court closed, and mem- 
bers at liberty to return to their homes at an early 
hour. Officers absent at the appointed time for open- 
ing the Court without sufficient excuse, should, without 
exception, be fined. 

Absence from the city, town or village, sickness, 
sickness in one's immediate family, important business 
engagements, or actual employment in one's work or 
labor, is usually regarded as a sufficient excuse. 

OPENING OF COURT. 

Upon the assembliug of a quorum of members 
(seven, including one qualified to preside), the C. R. or 



8 ANCIENT ORDER OP FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

presiding officer should invest himself in his regalia 
of office, assume his station, and with one sound of the 
gavel call the Court to order, and say : 

" The officers will please clothe themselves in their 
regalia, and take their respective stations. The Beadles 
will close the doors, and the Woodwards will advance; 
give me the current pass- word; see that all present have 
the same, and are legal Foresters ; see that the breth- 
ren are provided with the authorized regalia, reporting 
to me all inaccuracies." 

WOODWARDS. 

The Woodwards, having performed their duties as 
directed, will advance to the centre of the room and 
make known to the C. K. the result of their investi- 
gations. If all be correct, they will say : 

"Worthy C. R, all correct." 

If any inaccuracy should exist, they will say : 

" Worthy Chief, all correct, except Brother 

or Brothers (giving the names), who is (or are) 

without the current pass- word, or without appropriate 
regalia." 

THE CURRENT PASS- WORD. 

If the persons present without the pass-word, be 
members of the Court, the C. R will enquire 
of the Secretary whether they are entitled to receive 
the pass-word. (As to who are so entitled, see Art. 
XXXI, §§ 1-6.) If the Secretary should reply in the 



ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 9 

affirmative, the 0. R. will then call upon the 
member or members to advance and receive the pass- 
word, which the C. R. will quietly confide to him or them. 
Should the Secretary reply that they are not so entitled, 
the C. R. must see that they neither vote or speak at 
that or any succeeding meeting until they become 
entitled to the pass-word. Art. XXXI, § 6. 

If the persons should be visiting brethren, the C. R. 
should ascertaio whether they possess any document 
proving them to be legal Foresters, or whether the 
C. R. or Secretary of their Court or Courts is present to 
vouch for them as financial. If they do not possess 
these proofs, or either of them, the C. R. must politely 
request such persons to retire. Art. XXXI, §§ 6-7. 

VISITORS. 

If any officers of the High Court, District Court, or 
a P. C. R. of a Subordinate Court are present, the 
C. R. should invite them to seats upon the dais. 

COMPLETION OF THE OPENING OF COURT. 

When the preliminaries or first part above given 
are completed, the C. R. will then arise, give three sig- 
nals with the gavel, — thus bringing all present to a 
standing position, — and conclude the opening of the 
Court in accordance with the Ritual (pages 5 and 6). 

At the conclusion of the reading, the Court will 
remain standing while the opening ode is sung, at the 
close of which the C. R. will seat the Court by giving 
one signal with the gavel. 



10 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Extract from General Law, Art. XVII, § 15, for the 

information of Chief Rangers : 

"Sec. 15. That should the presiding officer or his substi- 
tute, in any District or Subordinate Court in the Order, vacate 
his chair without the consent of his assembled brethren, or should 
he refuse to put to vote any proposition that has been legally 
made, dissolve or adjourn the meeting before the business is 
finished, without the approval of a majority of the brethren 
then present, or unless in the case of a Subordinate Court, the 
hour of closing has arrived, he shall (if the offense be not so 
flagrant as to justify a motion for his deposition) be fined for the 
first offense five dollars, and for the second offense ten 
dollars, and for any future offense shall be punished as the 
committee trying the case shall determine." 

ROLL-CALL OF OFFICERS. 

The C. R. will direct the Secretary to call the 
roll of officers. If there are any absentees, the Sec- 
retary will so record in his minutes, and impose (unless 
otherwise directed by the C. ft.) such fine as the 
Court laws prescribe. 

OFFICERS ABSENT. 

In the event of the absence of any of the officers, 
the C. R. must appoint some brother, temporarily, to 
fill the vacancy. In all cases when the C. R. is absent, 
his position should be occupied by the S. C. R. If he 
also is absent or declines to act, then some P. C. R. of 
the Court, if any are present, if not, then some visiting 
P. C. R. should be requested to take the position of 
C. R. for the evening, or until the arrival of the C. R. 
If, however, any High Court or District Officer (pro- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 11 

viding the latter be a P. C. R.) is- in attendance, 
precedence should be given to him. 

COURTESIES TO VISITING OFFICIALS. 

It is customary for the C. R. of the Court, as a 
matter of courtesy, to offer his seat and gavel to any 
superior officer who may happen to be present in his 
official capacity. The offer is accepted or declined, as 
the officer so visiting shall deem proper. If in his 
judgment his acceptance would be beneficial and 
instructive, he will accept the offer. Otherwise he will 
momentarily accept the proffered gavel, immediately 
returning it to the C. R. with appropriate remarks for 
the courtesy offered. 

READING OF THE MINUTES. 

The C. R. (in accordance with the Ritual, page 6) will 
then call upon the Secretary to read the minutes of 
the previous meeting or meetings ; at the conclusion of 
the reading the C. R. will arise and say: 

" Brethren, the minutes just read are the minutes 
of our last regular (or whatever meeting it may be) 
meeting; are there any errors or omissions to correct? 
If there are none, the minutes will be approved as read, 
and confirmed." 

If no brother rises to make known any error or 
omission, for such only can, at this stage of the pro- 
ceedings, be considered, the C. R. will proceed, thus: 



12 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

"There appearing to be no errors or omissions, I 
declare the minutes adopted as read." 

A motion to confirm minutes is not necessary. 

If any error or omission in the minutes is satisfac- 
torily made known, the C. E. will order them to be 
corrected accordingly. The corrections having been 
made, and there appearing to be none others to make, 
he will proceed, thus: 

"There appearing no further corrections to be 
made, I declare the minutes, as corrected, approved and 
confirmed." 

SICK AND DISTRESSED. ( RITUAL, PAGE 7.) 

The C. E. will then read the paragraph in the 
Eitual, as above indicated. 

The Woodwards will then make known their report, 
after which the C. E. will call upon the S. C. E. to re- 
port his visits to the sick, and then report his own 
visits. Art. XVII. 

Should there be any matter connected with the 
reports, or either of them requiring special action or 
discussion by the Court, such matter should lie over 
until "new business," when the subject can be properly 
disposed of. 

If any brother is in distress, and makes application 
for assistance, whether he is connected with the Court 
applied to or any other Court, the matter should at 
once be disposed of; but before voting any money, the 
C. E. should first ascertain the amount in the Benevo- 



ANCIENT OEDEE OF FOEESTEES' MANUAL. 13 

lent Fund, and then be particular in keeping the pro- 
posed donation within that sum, as it is contrary to the 
general law to borrow from any one fund to make 
good deficiencies in another. 

Courts should exercise great precaution in voting 
their funds, either to their own or to visiting brethren, as 
many impositions have been known to have occurred. 
It would be well in cases other than such as are thor- 
oughly known to the Court, to appoint a committee of 
investigation, with power to donate a sum not exceed- 
ing an amount to be designated, and provided the 
committee so appointed shall, after investigation, be- 
come satisfied that the applicant is deserving of relief. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

Under the head of communications, the C. R. 
will call upon the Secretary to read any communica- 
tions which he may have received on behalf of the 
Court. As each communication is read (except as 
hereafter stated) the C. R. will arise and say : 

" Brethren, what is your pleasure with this commu- 
nication ? " 

It is usual to offer a motion, duly seconded, that it 
be received and placed on file. If it contains matter 
to be acted upon by the Court, the usual motion is that 
it be received and laid over until " new business," and 
under that order of business be acted upon and disposed 
of. 



14 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

When communications from the Subsidiary High 
Court or District Court are read, the C. E. will say : 

11 The communication will be received and placed 
on file." 

This is done without a motion. 

If it contain a request for anything to be done by 
the Court, the C. E. will say : 

" The communication will be received and laid over 
until ' new business.' " 

If the request of the Subsidiary High Court or Dis- 
trict Court be such as is authorized by law to be made, 
it will be incumbent upon the C. E. to see that 
it is at once complied with, as he is personally respon- 
sible and amenable for any dereliction of duty in this 
instance. If it be a request or direction of a special 
character, for which no direct provision of law is pro- 
vided, the C. E. should see that the subject is 
calmly, dispassionately and properly discussed, with 
due regard to the discretionary powers and the super- 
ior authority of the Subsidiary High Court or District 
Court. Before arriving at the determination that no 
precedent or law exists for authorizing or empowering 
the request or direction, if such should be contained in 
the communications alluded to, the C. E. should 
be careful to thoroughly inspect the laws of the 
High Court, Subsidiary High Court and District Court, 
as thereby much annoyance and unpleasant controver- 
sies may be avoided. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 15 

All communications from the High Court, Subsidi- 
ary High Court, District and Subordinate Courts, to be 
official, must bear their respective seals. 

A brief statement of all communications and their 
purport should be recorded in the minutes with the 
disposition made thereof. 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON CANDIDATES. 

Having reached this order of business, the C. R. 
will request the Secretary to announce the names of the 
brethren constituting the respective committees, who, 
as called, will report either "favorable" or "unfavorable." 

If all three or a majority thereof report "favorable," 
the C. R. will arise and say : 

"Brethren, you have heard the report of your 

committee on Mr. (giving the name); what is 

your pleasure ? " 

A motion made and seconded should be " that the 
report be received, the committee discharged, and can- 
didate balloted for." 

The motion having thus been made, the C. R. will 
restate the motion to the Court, and ask: 

"Are you ready for the question ? " 

If no intimation to the contrary be expressed by the 
members, the C. R. will proceed to put the motion in 
this wise: 

"All those who are in favor of the motion will sig- 
nify the same by the usual sign of a Forester." 

Having counted the votes, he will continue: 



16 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

" Those who are opposed to the motion will signify 
their dissent by a similar sign." 

He will count the votes in the negative and then 
declare the result. 

Any member has the right to demand a knowledge 
of the circumstances upon which the committee base 
their report, if unfavorable, and the Court may proceed 
to discuss the same; a vote, however, must be taken, 
so as to determine whether the candidate's application 
for membership is rejected, in order that the Secretary 
may return the name of the candidate as rejected to the 
Subsidiary High Court, — if the Court be unconnected 
with a District, — or to the District, if the Court be at- 
tached to a District, and the same course has to be 
adopted, should any candidate be rejected when the 
ballot is taken for his election to membership. 

If the circumstances of the case, in the opinion of 
the Court, warrant it, a new committee of investigation 
may be appointed, who, when so appointed, should 
confer with the previous committee, so as to glean all 
the information possible, and in instituting the further 
investigation should exercise very great care and 
scrutiny in making the same before concluding upon 
the report to be made to the Court, as great injury may 
result to the Court by the admission of an improper 
person to membership. Much of the prosperity of the 
Court depends upon the moral character and physical 
condition of the persons initiated. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 17 

Committees on candidates, among other things, 
should seek to learn the following particulars in refer- 
ence to an applicant for membership. 

Ascertain if he has been a member before, or pre- 
viously proposed to become a member, and report 
thereon to the Court for action, as hereinafter provided. 
It is courteous and proper for the committee to ask a 
candidate what references he can furnish them as to 
good health and character. 

BALLOTING FOR CANDIDATES. 

The committee having reported favorably upon the 
candidate, he may now be balloted for, provided the 
physician's certificate is produced, and approves of the 
candidate physically. The C. R. will call upon the 
Woodwards to prepare the ballot box, and when ready 
they will exhibit the same to the C. R and S. C. R., to 
verify that it is all clear before any ballots are deposited 
therein. The Woodward will then place the ballot 
box in the centre of the room upon any proper recept- 
acle. The S. W. should stand on the right side of the 
ballot box, facing the C. R., and the J. W. on the left 
side, facing the S. C. R. The C. R. will then say: 

" Brethren, you are now about to vote for or against 

Mr. (giving the full name); a white ballot elects 

and a black cube rejects ; you will please proceed to 
ballot, in consecutive order." 

Only one member at a time should be allowed in 



18 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

front of the ballot box while in the act of depositing 
his ballot. 

If it appear that all have voted, the C. R. will say : 

" Have all voted who wish? If so, I shall declare the 
ballot closed." Hearing no response, he will continue, 
" it is so ordered." 

The Woodwards will then see that the ballot box is 
securely closed, and the S. W. will proceed with it to 
the S. C. R., who will open the box and inspect the 
ballots. The Woodward will then present it to the 
C. R., who will likewise inspect the ballot and reclose 
the box. He will then say: 

"Worthy S. C. R, how stands the ballot?" 

The S. C. R. will then answer: 

"All white." If three or less black cubes have been 
cast, he will respond " favorable," or give the number 
of black cubes deposited. 

The C. R. will respond " correct," if it agrees with 
his inspection, and will say: 

"I therefore declare Mr. (giving the name) 

duly elected to membership in this Court." 

If, however, of the ballots cast there be four or 
more black, then the C. R. must immediately renew the 
ballot in the same form as the first. If upon the 
second ballot being had, four or more black balls 
shall have been deposited, the C. R. will say : 

"There appearing (giving the number) black balls 
in the ballot, I declare Mr. (giving name) rejec- 
ted as a member of this Court." 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 19 

REJECTED CANDIDATES. 

After the candidate's rejection, his application for 
membership cannot be again renewed in the same or 
any other Court for a period of six months ; and if 
then proposed in any other Court, before he can be 
initiated therein, application must be made to the 
Court in which he was first proposed, and its approval 
obtained. Should such approval be withheld, the rea- 
sons may be asked, and if not furnished promptly, 
or reason assigned seems insufficient, applica- 
tion may be made to the District Court, or if the 
Court be out of District, tjien to the Executive Council 
of the Subsidiary High Court, to investigate the 
cause of the withholding of such approval. If, upon 
investigation, the District or Executive Council of the 
Subsidiary High Court shall determine the approval as 
unjustly or improperly withheld, sanction may be given 
by the District, or Executive Council of the Subsidiary 
High Court to initiate the candidate, provided he is 
elected to . membership by the Court. But should the 
Court proceed to initiate the candidate without pursu- 
ing this course, it will be liable to a fine of five dollars ; 
and if knowingly done, may be suspended. Art. XVI, 
§9. 

Candidates rejected by the physician must also be 
rejected by the Court, unless it should appear that the 
physician has been led into an error, or has been preju- 
diced by biased persons, in which case a re-examination 
may be had. 



20 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Ordinarily, the proper course for a Court to pursue 
when applied to for its approval to the initiation of a 
candidate in a sister Court, is to grant its consent, ac- 
companied with a statement of the circumstances, and 
reasons for their rejecting the candidate, so that the 
Court applying for the sanction can determine for 
itself whether to accept 'or reject the candidate for the 
causes named. 

In cases of candidates elected to membership and 
failing to present themselves for initiation within 
the prescribed period of three months, the Court may 
either extend the time to be initiated, or declare the 
proposition fee as forfeited. If such candidate is 
afterwards proposed in any other Court, he cannot be 
initiated without the same course being pursued as in 
the case of a rejected candidate. 

This course also applies to persons who have become 
precluded or expelled members, and who subsequently 
apply to be readmitted as members in any Court. 

INITIATION OF CANDIDATES. 

The C. R. having declared the initiation of candidates 
in order, shall instruct the S. B. to verbally enquire of 
the J. B. " if there are any candidates in waiting." Upon 
being answered in the affirmative, he shall direct the 
Secretary to retire and receive the balance of the 
initiation fee. When the Secretary has entered the 
ante-room, the J. B. shall introduce him to the candi- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 21 

date, mentioning the candidate's name. (The J. B. 
should be previously introduced to the candidate by 
his proposer or other friends.) 

The Secretary having obtained the balance of the 
initiation fee, will return and report to the C. R. 

The Court being in readiness for the initiation, the 
C. R. will then instruct the S. B. to give the necessary 
double alarm, which is to notify the J. B. to have the 
candidate ready ; and when he is prepared, the J. B. 
will respond with the double alarm, which the S. C. R. 
will answer, and proceed with his announcement, as 
prescribed on page 15 of the Ritual. The C. R. will 
then proceed as directed on page 15 of the Ritual. 

It will be proper for us at this time to examine 
the question of objections to the admission of candi- 
dates elected to or proposed for membership, previous 
to continuing the formula of the ceremony of initia- 
tion. 

When the C. R. enquires whether there is any 
objection to the candidate's admission, and an objection 
is made, the objector should at once be requested to 
make known the character and nature of his objections. 
If they are of a tendency or kind which would induce 
the Court not to initiate the candidate, immediate 
investigation should be had. If outside inquiry 
becomes necessary, the initiation should be deferred 
until a subsequent meeting ; and in the interim a 
committee appointed to investigate the grounds of 



22 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

objection ; they should report, if possible, at the next 
meeting. 

Upon the receipt of the report of the committee, 
the Court will vote to sustain or overrule the objection 
or objections, admit or reject the candidate as may be 
just and proper. The C. R. shoul i carefully sift and 
investigate the whole matter so as to ascertain 
whether the objection raised be a purely personal one, 
based upon the bias, prejudice or enmity of some 
brother who feels himself aggrieved by some unim- 
portant act of the candidate. Should it, however, 
transpire that the candidate has wilfully and knowingly 
wronged the Order or any member thereof, or been 
convicted of any crime, or done any act derogatory to 
a good conscience and honesty, objection to his admis- 
sion for any of these or similar reasons would be 
justifiable and warranted ; or if the objection should be 
made upon the ground that the candidate is above age, 
or has misrepresented his age, or is afflicted with some 
disease or sickness which has been concealed from the 
physician, such as would affect the prolongation of 
life or soundness of limb ; or if it be made to appear 
that the candidate has been proposed in or rejected, 
suspended, precluded or expelled by a sister Court, and 
such fact or facts have been concealed, they or any one 
of them would not only be sufficient to defer the initia- 
tion, pending such investigation, but it will become in- 
cumbent upon the C. R. so to defer it and cause a 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTEBS' MANUAL. 23 

complete, thorough and searching examination to be at 
once instituted. This procedure will avoid much after 
controversy, and possibly obviate the necessity of the 
services of the Arbitration Committee. The minutes 
of the meeting should contain a record of the action 
taken in reference to the candidate. 

If there be no objection raised to the candidate's 
admission, the C. E. will, in accordance with the Ritual, 
page 16, instruct the S. C. R. and Woodwards to per- 
form their duty as prescribed. (The request to the 
Court to be upstanding, does not take effect until the 
S. C. R. and Woodwards return and enter with the 
candidate, at which time the C. R. will give his 
signals with the gavel for the Court to arise.) The 
S. C. R., together with the Woodwards when retiring 
to the ante-room, will first proceed to the altar in 
the centre of the room, salute the C. R., then face 
about and retire and interrogate the candidate. (See 
Ritual, page 17.) 

The object of the S. C. R. and Woodwards retiring 
to interrogate the candidate is to avoid the admission 
into a Court room of a stranger or person not entitled 
thereto ; for example : Should the candidate answer 
that he has previously been a member of the Order, or 
about to become a member in any other Court, and 
which fact had not before come to the knowledge of 
the Court, the Court cannot proceed further in the 
initiation until application has been made to, and the 



24 ANCIENT ORDER OF F0RE8TERS' MANUAL. 

sanction obtained from such other Court, for permission 
to initiate the candidate. (See previous remarks on 
rejection and balloting for candidates.) 

In all cases where the proposition of a candidate 
discloses the fact that he has previously been a member 
of the Order, or at some time previous was about to 
become a member, or proposed for membership in 
any other Court, and the necessary application has 
been made and approval obtained to initiate the can- 
didate, the S. C. R. should be informed thereof before 
retiring, so that the necessity for the S. C. R. to return 
into the Court and report the facts may be obviated, 
which otherwise he would have to do, and must do 
in case the Court is ignorant of such facts. 

Should the candidate express any unwillingness 
to take the obligation or be governed by our laws 
and usages, the S. C. R. will re-enter the Court and 
so report ; in which event the C. R. should appoint 
a committee to confer with the candidate upon the 
subject, and if such committee should report that the 
candidate is still unwilling, then his election to mem- 
bership should at once be reconsidered, and his 
application for membership rejected. 

INITIATION CONTINUED. 

The S. C. R. and Woodwards will re-enter the 
Court with the candidate (giving the usual alarm before 
entering). On their entrance to the Court room, the 
C. R. will signal the members to be in a standing 



ANCIENT OEDEE OF FOEESTERS' MANUAL. 25 

position. The S. W. to be on the right and the J. W 
on the left of the candidate, with the S. C. R. in front ; 
and thus proceed to the altar in the centre of the 
room. The S. C. R. will then address the C. R. as per 
Ritual (page 17). 

When he has finished, the Court will sing the 
first verse of the initiation ode. 

The S. C. R., S. and J. W., and the candidate mean- 
while remaining at the altar. The Woodwards to have 
the top of their battle axes resting on the floor. (During 
other portions of the ceremony, the axes to be carried 
across the right and left arm of the Woodwards, 
respectively, except when they are walking, when the 
axes will be carried across the shoulder.) 

When the singing of the first verse of the ode is 
concluded, the S. C. R. will request the Woodwards 
and candidate to accompany him, and he will proceed 
to within a few spans of the dais, there forming in line 
with the S. C. R., to the left of the candidate and 
Woodwards, and slightly in front. 

The C. R. will then deliver his charge pursuant to 
the Ritual (page 18) when instructing the candidate in 
the grip of a Forester he will also make known to him 
the current pass-word. 

"Before, requiring the candidate to make the formal 
obligation (beginning I, and his name in full) the 
C. R. will address the S. C.^R., thus: 



lb ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

" Worthy S. C. R., be pleased to place the candidate 
in position to assume his formal obligation." 

The S. C. R. will first instruct the candidate how to 
proceed, at the same time exemplifying the work, and 
then place the right and left hands of the candidate in 
the positions required, with the index finger of the 
right hand pointing, etc. 

At the close of the obligation, the C. R. will seat 
the Court by giving one signal with the gavel. "When 
the C. R. is about to instruct the candidate in the 
" sign of a Forester," the Woodwards will take one step 
backwards, and afterwards resume their position beside 
the candidate. 

The candidate will then be instructed in the un- 
written work (excepting the distress signs, which are 
exemplified by the J. P. C. R.), and at the conclusion, the 
C. R. may in his discretion, invite any P. C. R. present to 
deliver the concluding portion of the C. R.'s charge, 
which commences at the period of the proceedings 
when the candidate is invested with the sash. 

The C. R.'s charge having been concluded, he will 
direct the S. C. R. to conduct the candidate to the 
J. P. C. R., thus: 

" Worthy S. C. R., you will now conduct the brother 
to our worthy J. P. C. R. for further instruction 
and examination." 

The S. C. R. will then conduct the candidate to the 
J. P. C. R. and proceed as follows: 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 27 

"Worthy J. P. C R., by the direction of our 
worthy C. K., I herewith present to you our newly 
initiated brother for further instruction and examina- 
tion." 

At the conclusion of the J. P. C. K.'s charge, 
he will direct the S. C. R. to retire with the candidate, 
as follows: 

"Worthy S. C. R., you will now retire with our 
brother and instruct him how to gain admittance into 
a Court of Forestry." 

(The Woodwards will accompany them as far as 
the portal, and then to retire to their stations. ) 

The new brother having been instructed by the 
S. C. R. in the ante-room, — the precaution being taken 
that no strangers are present or within hearing, — he 
will give the usual alarm, etc., for admission. On 
being admitted, he will salute the C. R., and remain 
standing at the altar, in the centre of the room. The 
S. C. R. will be admitted at the same time the candi- 
date is, and follow a few paces in the rear, and slightly 
towards the left of the latter, and salutiug the C. R. at 
the same time as the candidate. The S. C. R. will then 
proceed to the right side of the candidate, and thus 
remain until the circle is formed. 

The C. R. will at once call up the Court, and request 
the brethren to form the circle, during which the 
second verse of the initiation ode will be sung. (Visit- 
ing officials and the Treasurer and Secretary to be on 



28 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

the right and left of the C. R., facing the candidate, the 
Woodwards to be on the extreme right and left of these 
officers, all of whom will form a part of the circle. ) 

The S. C. R. will face the candidate inside the cir- 
cle, when the singing of the ode is concluded, and de- 
liver his charge, followed by the J. P. C. R. and C. R. 
with their respective charges. (Upon the J. P. C. R. 
exclaiming : " now let us add, etc." he will pause 
and place the new member in the circle line with 
the other members, directly opposite the J. P. C. R.'s 
chair.) The J. P. C. R. will then proceed with his 
charge, and at its close the officers will make the 
exclamation prescribed. 

The C. R. will then deliver the closing charge, at 
the conclusion of which the brethren will respond : " so 
let us, etc." The "welcome ode" will then be 
sung, during which the officers of the Court, — in 
the following order, viz : J. P. C. R , C. R., S. C. R., 
Treasurer, Secretary, S. W., J. W., S. B. and J. B , 
followed by visitiDg officials, — will march by the new 
member, each in so doing extending their hand in 
giving the new member the grip of a Forester, and 
expressing a greeting of welcome. The officers and 
visiting officials after greeting the candidate, will pro- 
ceed to their stations in the order named above, and 
remain standing until the ode is finished ; the circle of 
the members of the Court meanwhile remaining intact. 

The ceremony being now concluded, all the mem- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 29 

bers and visitors will remain standing while the C. E. 
proceeds as follows : 

" Brethren, the ceremony of initiation having been 
concluded, you will please become seated, and resume 
the duties of the Court," and signal with his gavel ac- 
cordingly. 

When there is more than one candidate, the S. C, B. 
will enter with the first one, same as in the case of 
one candidate only. When the other candidates enter 
and salute the C. E., the S. C. E. will conduct them to 
the side of the first candidate, who should be placed on 
the right side of the altar, leaving the front of the altar 
clear for the other candidates to enter and salute the 
C. E. When necessary, the candidates who seek admis- 
sion after the first candidate has entered with the 
S. C. E., should be prompted by the J. B. 

SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION. 

Immediately after a candidate has been initiated 
he should be supplied with a copy of the Court's 
Constitution and By-Laws, and instructed to thoroughly 
examine the same, previous to the next meeting, and at 
such meeting he should be required to sign the Consti- 
tution ; this is done as follows : The Court has the 
Constitution and By-Laws copied into a blank book from 
the original manuscript (the latter should always be 
carefully retained), leaving always every other page 
blank for the insertion of amendments ; at the end a 



30 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

few blank pages should be left, upon the first of which 
the following heading should be written : " We, the 

undersigned, having become members of Court 

No. — of the A. O. F., do hereby declare that we have 
been supplied with, and examined the Constitution and 
By-Laws thereof, and do hereby agree to be bound 
to the same, and conform thereto, as well as all 
alterations, amendments and additions as may from 
time to time be made in respect thereto, as well as in 
respect to the general laws of the Order." As each 
member is admitted he should sign his name there- 
under. 

The object of this is to have the effect of creating 
an estoppel upon members in the event of a claim 
being subsequently made, that they or either of them 
were or was not made acquainted with and did not 
know the laws by which they or he were or was to be 
bound and governed. It will prove to be a great 
safeguard in cases of litigation between Courts and 
members. 

CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP. 

At the time of initiation the member should be 
supplied with a plain lithograph certificate of member- 
ship, or he may purchase a colored lithograph certifi- 
cate, which are usually sold by the Courts at from fifty 
to seventy-five cents. 

Some Courts provide at the end of their By-Laws a 
blank form of certificate with a marginal space for the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 31 

member's signature. The following may serve as 1 a 
specimen of the form of certificate so adopted : 



"Court No. , A. O. F. 

This is to certify that Mr. 

was admitted a member of the above Court and Order, 

by initiation in Court No. , on the 

day of , 188 . 

, C. B. 



[COUBT SEAi] , S. C. R= 

, Sec." 



INITIATION FEES. 

The C. E. should be particular to enforce the law 
and see that no candidate is initiated before the 
payment of the full initiation fee. Courts may adopt 
any scale of initiation fees they see fit, providing it be 
not less than the scale mentioned in the General Laws, 
Art. XVI, § 12. 

ENDOWMENT, ENTRANCE FEES, ETC. 

The endowment declaration and medical certificate 
should be forwarded to the Permanent Secretary as 
speedily as possible after the candidate's or member's 
application for membership in the fund. His name, 
age, occupation, whether married or single, with date of 
admission to the Court, should likewise be at once 
forwarded to the District Secretary, if the Court be in 
District. 



32 ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

PROPOSITION OF CANDIDATES. ( RITUAL, § 3.) 

Under this order of business, propositions may and 
should be made for the reinstatement of suspended 
members, and admission of clearance members. 

The blank form of application of candidates for 
initiation must be filled out and signed by the candi- 
date and two financial members of the Court. It must 
state the full name, age (which must not be less than 
eighteen nor above forty-five), occupation and residence 
of the candidate ; whether married or single ; if 
married, the name and age of his wife, and that she 
is in good health. It should also state whether or 
not, the applicant has previously been a member of 
the Order, or proposed theretofore as a member in 
any other Court. If answered affirmatively, the name 
and number of such Court, together with the date 
and cause of leaving, or reason why he was not initi- 
ated, as the case may be. (Proper forms of such 
application for membership should be procured by 
every Court.) 

If a candidate's wife is not in good health, it 
should be so stated in the proposition form. Her illness 
would not debar her husband's admission as a mem- 
ber, provided he is physically and otherwise qualified, 
and releases the Court from liability in the event of her 
death. 

The regular proposition must be accompanied with 
a fee of at least one dollar. 



ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 33 

The Secretary will read carefully the whole of a 
proposition to the Court, whereupon the C. R. will 
interrogate the proposer and seconder, as prescribed 
on page 7 of the Ritual. "When more than one prop- 
osition is before the Court, it will only be necessary 
to read in full, one proposition form, giving a syn- 
opsis of the others. 

The Secretary will carefully examine all the prop- 
ositions, and certify that they are correctly filled out. 
Each proposer and seconder, however, is to respond 
as in the case of the first proposition read. Assuming 
that they will each answer the questions propounded 
affirmatively, arid give such additional information as 
they may possess, the C. R. will proceed, thus : 

"Those who approve of the proposition now read 
will signify their assent by the usual sign of a 
Forester. " (See Ritual, page 8.) 

He will count the votes and then say: 

" Those who are opposed, will signify their dissent 
by a similar sign." 

He will again count the votes and announce the 
result. If not a single objection is made, several 
propositions may be voted upon collectively, otherwise 
they will have to be voted upon singly. If there be 
any negative vote or votes, it will be well to ascer- 
tain the reason therefor, so that the investigation 
committee will be better advised as to the scope of 
their investigations. 



34 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

If the result of the vote be favorable to the ac- 
ceptance of the proposition, the C. R will proceed to 
appoint the candidate investigating committee, consist- 
ing of three financial members, neither of whom should 
be the proposer or seconder or relative of the candi- 
date, nor directly interested in his acceptance to or 
rejection for membership. (Art. XVI, §§ 7-8.) This 
same course the C. R. must follow in respect to each 
candidate proposed. 

The committee of investigation should report at the 
next regular meeting of the Court. 

In the event of the petition disclosing the fact of 
the candidate's previous connection with the Order, 
either as a member, or a proposed member, the C. R. 
must instruct the Secretary to at once write, under 
seal, to the Court to which the candidate was so con- 
nected for permission to initiate him. 

REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERS. 

Applications to be reinstated can only be made by 
and considered from those members who have been 
suspended for non-payment of dues, fines or assess- 
ments, and then only within six months from the date 
of such suspension. 

The application must be made in writing, and in 
the same manner and form as in the case of new candi- 
dates, except that no committee of investigation need 
be appointed. It must be accompanied with a certifi- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 35 

cate of good health from the Court's Physician, together 
with payment of all moneys due and owing to the Court 
by such applicant, at the date of his suspension. 

This being all complied with, he may then be bal- 
loted for on the same evening (at this stage of the 
business), and if a majority of the ballots be in his 
favor, he shall be deemed reinstated ; otherwise he 
shall be declared rejected, and the money so paid re- 
funded to him or the person by whom it was paid for 
him. (Art. XVI, § 14.) 

The ballot must be had in the same form as in the 
case of balloting for candidates for original member- 
ship. If admitted, his name and date of reinstatement 
should be forthwith transmitted to the District 
Secretary if the Court be in District, or to ; the Per- 
manent Secretary if the Court be out of District. 

CLEARANCE MEMBERSHIP. 

Any member of the Order in good standing, and 
being in possession of a clearance issued by the High 
Court, Subsidiary High Court, District or Subordinate 
Court, wishing to deposit the same in another Court, 
must make his application as in the case of an uniniti- 
ated person, accompanying the same with such clear- 
ance and such fee as the Court By-Laws prescribe ; 
whereupon (providing three months have not expired 
since the date of such clearance — except as is provided 
in Art. XVIII, § 3), the C. R. must refer such applica- 



36 ANCIENT OKDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

tion to a committee of three (as in the case of an 
uninitiated person), who should report at the next 
regular meeting. If the report be favorable, he must 
then be balloted for, and if he receives a two- thirds 
vote of the members then present, he shall then be 
declared elected. (Art. XVI, § 10.) 

The report of the committee to be received and 
acted upon, and the ballot taken (except as to the 
number of white ballots required), in the same manner 
and form as in the case of an uninitiated person. 

The Court accepting such clearance member is not 
liable to pay to, nor is such member entitled to receive 
from such Court any sick or other benefits (except 
doctor and medicine) until the expiration of six months 
from the date of his admission. (Art. XVIII, § 7.) 
Within thirty days after the acceptance of such clear- 
ance, the Secretary must notify the Court from which 
it issued, of such acceptance (Art. XVIII, § 5), and he 
should immediately return the member's name, etc. to 
the District if the Court accepting the clearance be in 
District, or to the Executive Council if the Court be 
out of District. 

The Court issuing the clearance is liable for the sick 
and funeral benefits for six months. In the event of 
the Court breaking up before the expiration of six 
months, then the Subsidiary High Court is liable there- 
for, except that the said Court be in District, in which 
event the District continues liable for the funeral bene- 
fits. (Art. XVHI, §§ 5-6.) 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 37 

A Court should not accept a clearance member who 
is above the age of forty-five years, nor can it accept a 
clearance from a Court which has been less than twelve 
months in existence, for the reason that the latter 
Court has no authority to grant or issue it. 

WITHDRAWAL FROM MEMBERSHIP. 

The Subsidiary High Court, at its meeting held at 
St Louis, in August, 1879, enacted a law (§ 8 of Art. 
XXVI) permitting members to resign membership, and 
provided the mode of so doing, viz : 

By serving in person or by proxy, a written notice 
upon the C. B., at a Court meeting, to be witnessed by 
a member of the Court, signifying an intention and 
desire to resign his membership ; this notice to take 
effect and the membership expire upon the following 
meeting. All arrearages must be paid to that date. 
The membership will then be entered in the minute 
and other books as "cancelled," and a withdrawal card 
issued to the resigning member, who, if he again 
desires to renew his membership, can only do so as a 
new member. 

GRANTING CLEARANCES. 

Art. XVIII provides fully for the granting and 
depositing of clearances, so that a reference thereto 
will suffice for all purposes. 

RECESS AND PAYMENT OF DUES. 

When the C. R. has reached this order of busi- 



38 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

ness lie will declare a recess, to give members an op- 
portunity to pay their dues. The S. C. R. in the mean- 
time has charge of the Court, and should retain his 
seat. The S. B. should also remain at his station, 
and not allow any member to leave unless 
permission is first obtained from the C. R. or S. C. R. 

RECORDING AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND TREASURER. 

"Where the office of Recording and Financial Secre- 
tary is held by the one and same person, moneys should 
not be paid to him, nor should he be allowed to receive 
any duiing the business of the Court, as it will tend to 
detract his attention' 5 from the business, and so 
jeopardize a correct record being kept thereof, and 
likely to materially interfere with the decorum of the 
Court, and the proper attention to the business by 
the members. 

Great care should be exercised in the receipt of 
money ; every Court should have a Financial Secre- 
tary, whose simple duty should be to take in the 
receipts of the meeting, enter the same in a cash book 
or cash blotter, and transfer the cash at the close of 
the meeting to the Treasurer. (See Art. XVII, § 6.) 

The Treasurer should be seated next to the Finan- 
cial Secretary, and at the close of the meeting take and 
receipt for the moneys received, and enter the amount 
in a memorandum cash book. 

The Financial Secretary should not give a receipt 



ANCIENT ORDER OP FORESTERS' MANUAL. 39 

until he has entered the name and amount in his cash 
book — first receiving the cash. The name and amount 
for the receipt should always be copied from the entry 
in the cash book. The best form of receipt for dues is 
the " contribution cards." 

After all have paid who desire doing so, the Finan- 
cial Secretary should announce the names and amounts 
paid, thus enabling members who have paid, and 
whose names should happen to have been omitted, to at 
once have the same corrected. It is preferable to waiting 
until the end of the meeting, when many members may 
have left, and the errors are less subject to correction* 
It may prevent Secretaries from being losers ; for it 
will sometime occur that the name of one member may 
be mistaken for that of an other, in which case the 
member who receives the benefit of the mistake may 
not be sufficiently conscientious to come forward and 
acknowledge that he did not pay, while the Secretary 
will have to make good the amount for the member 
who actually did pay. 

ABSENCE OE TREASURER. 

In the absence of the Treasurer and a failure by him 
to designate soms person to receive and receipt for the 
receipts of the meeting in his behalf, such receipts 
should be entrusted to any other officer who is under 
bonds ; if there be no such officer, then to one of the 
Trustees or some other responsible member. A receipt 



40 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

in all cases being taken for the amount. The better 
course, however, would be for the Treasurer at all times 
when unable to attend, to designate, in writing, a person 
to receive and sign for the moneys, as above men- 
tioned. (Art. XVII, § 4.) 

PAYING DUES MONTHLY AND RETAINING MEMBERSHIP. 

The C. E. should urge all members to pay their 
contributions monthly, as it will lighten the amount 
to be paid on quarterly night, and enable members to 
settle up upon the latter meetings, and thus keep them- 
selves at all times financial. Members who are unfinan- 
cial, as also those who are liable to suspension, etc., 
should be waited upon by the officers individually, and 
urged to pay their arrearages ; many members who 
would otherwise be suspended and lost, may thereby be 
reclaimed and retained in good standing. It would 
also be advantageous to appoint at each quarterly 
meeting a " committee on delinquent members," whose 
duty it would be to assist in performing the functions 
above assigned to the officers. 

IMPERATIVE NOTIFICATION TO DELINQUENT MEMBERS. 

The Secretary must also when a member is five 
months in arrear, notify him thereof in writing, with 
notice that unless he makes a payment on or before the 
expiration of the sixth month, he will be suspended ; 
and again, when a member is eleven months in arrear, 



ANCIENT OBDER OF FOBESTEBS* MANUAL. 41 

he must also be notified that unless he pay his arrears, 
makes application and becomes reinstated before the 
expiration of the twelfth month, he will be precluded 
and stricken from the roll of membership. (Art. 
XVI, § 14) 

Upon the suspension, preclusion or expulsion of 
members, notice thereof should be forthwith forwarded 
to such members. 

BOLL-CALL OF OFFICERS ABSENT AT PREVIOUS MEETING. 

On reaching this order of business the C. R. will 
request the Secretary to announce the names of the 
officers who were absent at the previous meeting. If 
such officers have any excuse to offer, and desire to 
have their fines remitted, they will at once arise and 
make the explanation, and the C. R. may then in his 
discretion, and providing the explanation be satis- 
factory, remit the fines ; otherwise they must be 
charged up against the absent officers, and be paid at 
the end of the quarter, as in the case of dues. This 
rule also applies in the case of members fined. 

The Secretary should charge the fine to the mem- 
ber's account in the ledger, on the debit side, and if 
subsequently remitted, enter it on the credit side, thus: 
"By fine remitted," stating of course, the date when 
remitted, and the amount, with a reference to the page 
in the minute or record book, where the fact of the 
remission appears, or the fine is imposed. 



42 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 
REPORTS OF OTHER COMMITTEES. 

In this order of business the C. R. will ask the Sec- 
retary : 

"Are there any committees to report?" If there 
are any to report, the Secretary will announce them in 
the regular order, giving the names of the members 
constituting such committees, announcing each com- 
mittee separately, and waiting until a disposition is 
made of one, before mentioning a second committee. 

Under this head all committees (except committees 
on candidates), such as select, special and standing 
committees must report. 

Secretaries should have a memorandum of com- 
mittees to report, prepared before they come to the 
meeting. This will save time and make an easy 
reference. (A similar memorandum should be kept of 
" unfinished " business. ) 

The C. R. will call upon the chairman of the com- 
mittee to report ; or he will ask : 

"Is the committee on (mentioning the 

object) ready to report?" If the answer be "yes," 
then the C. R. will direct said committee to report ; 
after the report is made, the C. R. will arise and say: 

" Brethren, you have heard the report of your com- 
mittee on (mentioning the object) ; what is your 

pleasure with their report ? " 

The usual course is for some member to move 
"that the report be received and entered on the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 43 

minutes." Of course this will need to be seconded by 
some other member. The C. E. will then put the 
motion to vote ; discussion and action upon the report 
should lie over until " new business," when the report 
will be called up for action. If the report be final and 
the result of the vote be in favor of receiving the same, 
the committee will usually be discharged. 

If the committee be not ready to report fully, they 
should report " progress," and request additional time 
within which to continue their labors and report. The 
entry upon the minutes will be made accordingly. 

This same course must be pursued in respect to 
the report of all committees that report under this 
order of business. 

. Should the committee or any member thereof not 
be present without a sufficient excuse being offered for 
their or his absence, or if present and unable to report 
by reason of neglect, the C. R. should impose a fine 
for such dereliction of duty. 

If the Court By-Laws fail to make provision there- 
for, the C. It. may inflict a fine of not less than one 
dollar, nor exceeding five dollars. (Art. XXII.) 

AUDIT, ARBITRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEES. 

These committees are to be regarded as standing 
committees. Similar action should be taken in refer- 
ence to these committees as in others, except as to their 
discharge, which does not take place until their term 
expires. 



44 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS. • 

Having reached this order of business, the C. R. 
will enquire of the Secretary whether he has upon his 
minute or record book any unfinished business ; should 
the Secretary answer affirmatively, the C. R. will pro- 
ceed with such matters in their order, as they appear 
on the book, giving preference to the oldest in point 
of time. 

Anything undisposed of, or ordered to lie over from 
any preceding meeting, becomes " unfinished " busi- 
ness ; action must either be taken upon each of these 
matters, or be further deferred, previous to any other 
business being entered upon. Courts should avoid an 
accumulation of unfinished business. 

NEW BUSINESS. 

Under this heading the C. R. will call up the 
Woodwards' report, if any action is to be taken there- 
on. Then the communications previously read, and 
which remain to be acted upon — each one should be 
again read, and disposed of separately. It is impos- 
sible, without a knowledge of the contents, to suggest 
the course to be adopted, other than as referred to 
under the subject of communications. 

Having disposed of all matters relative to the 
Woodwards' report, and the communications, the C. R. 
will next call up for discussion and action the reports 
of the various committees if they have not been acted 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 45 

upon when the committee reported. If the audit re- 
port is among the others, it is usually disposed of first, 
and then the others in consecutive order as they were 
reported. Then follows any other new business, such 
as nomination of officers, election, installation, amend- 
ments to laws, appointment of Arbitration Committee, 
Finance Committee, etc., and any other business which 
has not previously been before the Court. 

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS. 

The nomination of officers should take place on th^ 
first meeting in June and December, and on the second 
meeting in those months further nominations may be 
made when in " unfinished " business. The nominee for 
C. B>. must have served a full term or the latter two- 
thirds portion of an unexpired term of a subordinate 
office. Any member in good standing is eligible to a 
subordinate office. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 

The election is to be held on the second meeting in 
June and December under the order of " new " busi- 
ness. The election should be conducted by secret 
ballot, and the nominee receiving the highest number 
of votes is elected. If there be but one nominee, then 
a motion may be made that some officer or member 
(financial) of the Court deposit one ballot in favor of 
the nominee as the vote of the Court for his election. 



46 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Nominees may vote in their own favor. Two tellers 
and one inspector of election should be appointed by the 
C. R., and if practicable, should be selected from 
visiting brethren. The Secretary should, in addition to 
the tellers, keep tally of the vote and record the same 
in the minute book. Upon the announcement of the 
vote being made by the tellers, the C. R. will declare 
in whose favor the vote has resulted, and enquire of the 
successful candidate as to his willingness to accept. 
Should he decline to accept, nominations and election 
should be re-opened, and the brother declining fined. 
(Art, XVI, §§4-6.) 

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 

The newly elected officers should be installed on 
the first meeting in January and July. All who are 
to be installed into office must be clear of every kind 
of indebtedness to the Court, and free from charges 
made or pending, before such installation takes place. 



Those who are required to give bonds should 
execute and deliver their or his bonds to the Trustees 
previous to the night of installation, so as to enable 
the Trustees to investigate the sufficiency thereof, and 
report thereon at the meeting, so that if the bonds be 
satisfactory no impediment to the installation may 
occur. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 47 

If, however, the Trustees should come to the conclu- 
sion that the bonds are unsatisfactory, they should at 
once communicate with the officers elect, in order that 
they may have an opportunity to furnish other bonds 
or sureties in the stead of those objected to. 

These bonds when approved, and the obligors are 
installed into their respective offices, should remain in 
the custody of the Trustees for safe keeping, and 
retained by them until directed by a vote of the Court 
to return them, after the bonded officer has settled his 
accounts. 

ABSENTEES NOT TO BE NOMINATED. 

No brother should be nominated for office unless 
he be present, or has intimated in writing his willing- 
ness to accept the office for which it is proposed or 
intended to nominate him. 

CHANGE OF SECRETARIES. 

In the case of change of Secretaries, the Subsidiary 
High Court and District Court should, upon the new 
incumbent or incumbents assuming his or their office, 
be immediately notified of the full name and residence 
of such newly elected Secretary or Secretaries. The 
Secretary, and also the C. B., should make a memoran- 
dum of this and similar requirements to be fulfilled 
during their term of office. 

NEW TRUSTEES AND BANK ACCOUNT. 

When new Trustees are elected, the Secretary, under 



48 ANCIENT OKDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

seal of the Court, should at once notify the bank or 
banks wherein the Court funds are deposited, of the 
change; giving the full names of the newly elected 
Trustees, and the names of those whom they are elected 

to succeed, thus: "Mr. , in the place of Mr. 

, and so on. 

Each of the Trustees should immediately be notified 
to visit the bank and affix their signatures to the book. 
This notice should be in the nature of a notification of 
his election, in whose place elected, with u request to 
attend at the bank for the purpose above iudicated. 
This notice should also be under the seal of the Court 
and bear the number of the bank book, so as to avoid 
delay at the bank, while search is being made for the 
account. Each of the Trustees should take his notice 
with him to the bank. 

The Treasurer, Kecording Secretary and Financial 
Secretary are not eligible as Trustees. 

LOSS OF BANK BOOK. 

The bank book should be kept in the custody of 
the C. R, and the Secretary should keep a duplicate of 
its entries, and a memorandum of the number of the 
book. 

In case of loss, notice should at once be given to the 
bank, and application made for a new book ; this will 
be issued only in accordance with the rules of the bank, 
which usually are, viz : First notifying the public, 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 49 

through an advertisement, of the loss — giving the 
number of the book and offering some inducement for 
its return ; or by executing to the bank a bond of 
indemnity. 

Although these conditions may seem wholly unjust- 
ifiable, still some banks, if not all, impose them for 
their own protection. 

INSTALLATIONS — BY WHOM CONDUCTED. 

The installation of officers is conducted either by 
the District officers, D. D. C. R., or if the Court be not 
in District, then by the D. H. C. R., in accordance with 
the new Ritual. 

PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS. 

If a public installation be held, the signs, salutations, 
and all symbols and tokens must be dispensed with. 

The members, however, must be previously in- 
structed to rise at the sound of the gavel when the 
obligation is about to be administered, and to resume 
their seats at its conclusion, when signalled by the 
gavel. 

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES BY NEW CHIEF RANGER. 

Upon the newly elected C. R. assuming his station 
(except in the event of a public installation, when it 
may be deferred until the succeeding meeting), he must 
appoint his committees as follows : 



50 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

The Arbitration Committee, which is appointed once 
in each year (except the filling of vacancies therein), 
at the first meeting in January. This committee con- 
sists of seven members, neither of whom should be the 
S. C. R. or Secretary, inasmuch as the former may be 
called upon to preside at the meetings of such com- 
mittee, in the absence of the C. R., and the Secretary 
is, in effect,, its clerk. 

The Finance Committee must be organized as pro- 
vided in Art. XYII, § 12, consisting of the chairman 
of the Board of Trustees, the chairman of the Board of 
Auditors, and one member, to be appointed by the 
C. R, 

The- Auditors, if the Court By-Laws provide for 
their appointment by the C. R., should be so appointed, 
and consist of three members. In many Courts they 
are elected. 

Of the duties of the Finance Committee we shall 
treat in the next subject. 

PAYMENT OF BILLS. 

Upon reaching this order of business, the C. R. will 
call upon the Secretary to read the various bills upon 
his desk requiring payment. When read they should 
be referred to the Finance Committee for approval or 
disapproval, before the Court can proceed to order pay- 
ment. (Art. XVII, § 12. ) It would be advisable for the 
Secretary to deliver all bills to the Finance Committee 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 51 

during the recess for payment of dues, in order that, 
in that interim, the committee may examine and pass 
thereon without delaying or interfering with the busi- 
ness of the Court. 

Special attention is called to the provisions of the- 
section above referred to, which the C. E. and Secre- 
tary should at all times bear in mind. 

MONEYS NOT TO BE APPROPRIATED UNLESS, ETC. 

By the provisions of § 3, Art. XVI, no appropria- 
tion of money can be made when only seven members 
are present at a Court meeting, unless by unanimous 
consent. This, however, does not relate to the pay- 
ment of sick and funeral claims, Subsidiary High Court 
per capita tax, District dues, salaries or rent, all of 
which are provided for by law. 

GOOD AND WELFARE — VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS. 

This is the last order of business, although in reality 
no regular business is transacted under this head — it 
having been already disposed of under previous orders 
of business. This usually permits of remarks and ad- 
dresses, etc., for the good of the Order, by members 
and visiting brethren. In the absence of such remarks, 
addresses, etc., it will be desirable (if the hour permits* 
thereof) for the C. R. to read a lecture from the Ritual. 
The lectures therein contained will be found very inter- 
esting as well as instructive. 



52 ANCIENT ORDER OP FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

If there are any visitors in the Court room, it is 
customary for the C. R. to request them to address the 
Court. He will commence with those of superior rank, 
in the order of their positions, then P. C. R's, and mem- 
bers in general. The Secretary should keep a record 
of the visitors — that is, their names, rank and Court, 
except as to the then High Court officers or District 
officers, who will be referred to simply by their station, 
thus: H. C. R, D. C. R., and so on. 

Visitors are expected to be at all times discreet as 
to the subject and length of their speeches ; long 
addresses are not, as a rule, agreeable. Speeches sav- 
oring of personalities, condemnation, rebellious or dis- 
satisfied temperaments, should not be indulged in by 
the visitor, nor encouraged by the members or per- 
mitted by the C. R., who should at ODce politely check 
any such transgression. (Art. XXXII, § 4. ) But a calm 
interchange of views, observations of encouragement to 
the Court, suggestions as to its future course, or upon 
any mooted question of the day or hour connected 
with our Order, are always favorably received, and 
frequently conducive of good results, and therefore 
should be encouraged. 

Th c se visitations, as well as the exchange of visits 
by and between sister Courl s, invariably promote pros- 
perity, good feeling and harmony ; it stimulates 
members to pursue a thrifty and laudable course. We 
should remember that while we are not by nature, yet 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 5& 

by the bonds and ties of Forestry we are brethren., 
both in and out of the Court. 

Unity, Benevolence and Concord should at all timea 
be uppermost in our thoughts, and by these principles 
our actions should be controlled. This will ensure the 
proper direction for our every act, thought and deed in 
our intercourse with each other, and in all things lead 
us to maintain the true principles of manhood. Let us- 
never be actuated by malice or hatred, but always be 
forbearing in temper, and lenient in condemnation. 
We are not, any of us, without faults and at times- 
indiscreet, and if our own conscience is heeded, it would, 
teach us more quickly the value and justice of the 
maxim, " charity to all, malice toward none." 

CLOSING OF THE COURT. 

The C. E., after having acknowledged the visita- 
tions at the close of the addresses, will recur to the 
Ritual (page 9), and request the Secretary to read the 
minutes and accounts of the evening. This being con- 
cluded, he will cause the brethren to arise, by giving 
the necessary signal with the gavel, and proceed to close 
the Court. The members will remain standing in their 
regalia while the closing ode is sung. At the conclu- 
sion of the singing, the officers and members will divest 
themselves of their regalia. The Woodwards will 
thereupon, under direction of the C. R, collect together 
the Court properties and safely deposit them in the 



54 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

<;hest or closet belonging to the Court. The salutation 
should not be given upon closing the Court. (So 
ordered at the Subsidiary High Court meeting at St. 
Louis. ) Thus closes the proceedings of the evening. 

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. 



ARBITRATION COMMITTEE PROCEDURE. 

This committee consists of seven financial members, 
who mast either be elected or appointed at the first 
meeting in January of each year. The C. R. has power 
to fill vacancies therein occurring, either at the Court 
or Arbitration Committee meeting. Neither the Secre- 
tary or S. C. R. should be appointed on the committee, 
for the reason that the former has to perform the 
duties of clerk to the committee, while the latter, in the 
absence of the C. R., has to assume the functions of 
presiding officer. 

Five of the committee are necessary to form a 
quorum. 

In order to put this committee into operation, it is 
necessary for a charge to be made in writing by a 
member who must set forth specifically, first, the charge; 
secondly, the specifications relied on to sustain the 
charge. 

The charge is the action or offence complained of; 
such as embezzlement, defalcation, conduct unbecoming 
■a Forester, contempt, concealment of disease or infirm- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 55' 

ity, fraudulent acts, false pretences, etc., while the speci- 
fications are the facts and circumstances relating thereto. 

The times, places and persons should be clearly and 
definitely set forth. (See form in appendix, which 
will serve as a guide. ) 

The charge must be preferred within one year of 
the committal of the offence, and presented to the C. R. 
at a regular Court meeting, accompanied with the sum 
of five dollars to cover any fine or expense imposed 
upon the complainant. 

The C. R. will then refer the charge to the Arbitra- 
tion Committee. A copy of the charge, ucder the seal 
of the Court, together with notice of the time and place 
of trial must be made and served by or through the^ 
Secretary upon the defendant personally, or if that be 
impracticable, then by leaving it at or by sending it by 
mail to his last known place of residence, at least four- 
teen days previous to the date of the committee meet- 
ing. The Secretary will then summon the committee 
to meet at the time and place mentioned in the notice" 
served upon the defendant, and should also summon 
the C. R., S. C. R. and a sufficient number of members 
to fill vacancies, should any occur upon the night of 
the meeting. (Art. XVI, § 17.) When vacancies are 
filled, the original arbitrator becomes removed as one 
of the committee, and the appointee to fill the vacancy 
becomes permanently for the balance of the term as one 
of the Arbitration Committee. 



56 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

The following rules should be observed in the trial of 
charges, etc.: 

1. An arbitrator absent one meeting (if at such 
meeting a continuation of the hearing of the case be 
had) should not be allowed to resume his seat in such 
case, unless by consent of both plaintiff and defendant, 
and if such consent be had, before proceeding with the 
case, the testimony taken in his absence or a synopsis 
of it should be read to him. 

2. Where the full committee begin to try a case, 
and during the trial is reduced to only a quorum, all of 
that quorum must be present before the trial can pro- 
ceed. 

3. And in case one or more of that quorum dis- 
qualify themselves during the trial by his or their 
absence, he or they should not be again permitted to 
resume his or their seats, and should be fined a sum 
equal to the expenses incurred upon said trial, and in 
such cases the C. R should proceed to fill such vacan- 
cies and commence the trial anew. The Secretary to 
notify all parties as before, excepting that a second 
copy of the charge need not be served upon the 
defendant. 

4. A member of the committee absenting himself 
for two successive meetings should not be allowed to 
continue as an arbitrator in the trial of any case in 
which, prior to his absence, he may have been engaged. 

5. In all cases, both parties have the right to 



ANCIENT OKDEK OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 57 

appoint an officer or member of the Order in good 
standing to appear as counsel in his and their behalf. 

6. The verdict of the committee must be in writ- 
ing signed by the arbitrators, enclosed in an envelope, 
securely sealed, and presented to the C. E. at the meet- 
ing of the Court following the verdict, by one of the 
arbitrators selected by themselves. 

7. The decision of the committee is final, subject 
nevertheless to the proper appeal, and such decision is- 
only read for the information of the Court. 

8. Either party may, at his option, notify the Sec- 
retary at least five days previous to the Arbitration 
Committee meeting of the witnesses desired to be sum- 
moned in his behalf, whereupon the Secretary shall 
immediately summon said witnesses under the seal of 
the Court, and a failure on the part of said witnesses to 
obey said summons and attend in pursuance thereof, 
shall, if they be members of the Order, be punished by 
a fine not succeeding five dollars, except in cases of 
sickness or unavoidable absence from the city, town or 
village, wherein said attendance was required. Said 
sickness and absence to be duly proved. 

9. The C . R should decide all points of order and 
questions of law. 

10. The committee should pass upon the admissi- 
bility of the evidence offered, if any of it is objected to r 
and determine all questions of fact. This is done by 
some member of the committee moving that the pro- 



58 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

posed evidence so objected to, be either received or 
rejected, whereupon the C. R. will submit the motion 
to the committee, which must be decided by them 
without debate. 

11. The committee should be allowed their reason- 
able expenses which may or may not be a charge 
against the defeated party, as the committee may 
decide, otherwise the Court shall decide as to the pay- 
ment of their expenses, if there are any. 

All fines and expenses awarded by the committee in 
their decisions, must be paid forthwith, by the party or 
parties charged therewith; in default of such payment, 
he or they may be suspended by the Court, through its 
presiding officer until paid; and if not so paid within 
twelve months, he or they shall be expelled the Order. 

12. The committee should be individually sworn 
by the C. R. upon their obligation as Foresters, as fol- 
lows: 

"I do swear (or affirm) that I will conscientiously 
and without fear or favor, well and truly try and 
determine the issues to be brought before me upon my 
honor as a man and a Forester." 

The witnesses should in like manner be sworn, thus: 
"I do swear (or affirm) that I will true answers 
make to such questions as may be put to me touching 
the] matters in controversy, and in all things testify 
truly without fear or hope of reward, upon my honor 
as a man and a Forester." 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 59 

If strangers are to be examined, the same oath may- 
be administered to them, omitting the words, " and a 
Forester." 

13. The Secretary of the Court in his capacity as 
clerk to the committee, must take notes or a synopsis 
of the testimony, and keep a correct and faithful record 
thereof, and of all the matters and proceedings of and 
during said trial, so that in the event of an appeal 
to the District or final Arbitration Committee he 
may be able to make, if required, a full and complete 
return of the testimony and proceedings, which, when 
made must be under the seal of the Court. For this 
purpose, the Secretary should keep a separate minute 
or record book of such proceedings. He must also 
number all documents and other material offered as 
evidence, and retain them in his possession until the 
decision of the committee is read to the Court. He 
may be fined a sum not exceeding five dollars, as the 
committee may decide, for the loss of any document or 
material belonging to the case. 

14. All being in readiness, the clerk (Secretary) 
will read the charge (the committee having first been 
sworn as stated in paragraph 12); whereupon the 
counsel for the plaintiff will open the case to the com- 
mittee by reciting a statement of the charge or com- 
plaint, and the testimony by which he expects to prove 
his case. He will then call his witnesses (who must 
be sworn as indicated in paragraph 12) and proceed 



60 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

to examine them. As he concludes with each witness, 
the defendant's counsel may cross-examine him. The 
plaintiff's counsel may then re-examine the witness 
as to any new facts brought out upon the cross-exami- 
nation, or to explain any discrepancy into which the 
witness may have fallen, or appearing therein as com- 
pared with the witness's previous testimony. This 
course will be followed until the case for the plaintiff 
is closed. The defendant's counsel will then open his 
case in the same manner as did the plaintiffs counsel, 
stating the line of defence and testimony by which he 
proposes to establish his defence. 

He will then call his witnesses and examine them ; 
(they must be sworn in the same manner as the plain- 
tiff's witnesses. ) The plaintiff's counsel may cross-exam- 
ine and the defendant's counsel re-examine in the same 
manner as before stated in respect to the plaintiff's 
witnesses. 

At the close of the defendant's case, the plain tiff-— 
that is, the member who makes the charge, or his 
counsel, may call witnesses to rebut — that is, to dis- 
prove or explain any new matter or statements bro ught 
out by the defendant's witnesses, or to disprove the 
defence, or by way of explanation. 

15. Care should be exercised to exclude and keep 
out of the case all matters having no relation to, bearing 
upon, or foreign to the case. 

All the rulings, both by the C. R. and the committee 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 61 

should be carefully noted by the clerk (Secretary), as 
well as the objections by the principals or their counsel 
and the rulings thereon. 

16. After the testimony is concluded, the defen- 
dant's counsel will sum up the case to the committee, he 
will be followed by the plaintiff's counsel. The C. R. 
will then impartially charge the committee upon the 
facts and the law bearing thereon. 

If either party desires the C. R. to specifically 
charge the committee upon any particular points, 
either of law or fact, such request should be now 
made, and upon which the C. R. will render his 
decision— either charge, refuse to charge, or modify 
the request, and charge in such modified form as to 
him may seem just and proper. 

All parties will now retire, leaving the committee in 
secret session to their deliberations. Should the com- 
mittee require, during such deliberations, any infor- 
mation or paper, it should only be given in the presence 
of all parties concerned, and in the care of the chairman 
of the committee. When the committee go into secret 
session, it will be necessary for them to elect from their 
number a chairman and secretary. 

During the trial or at its close, or during the 
deliberations of the committee, they may adjourn from 
time to time, to suit the reasonable convenience of the 
committee. 



62 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

In all cases of trial by arbitration a majority of the 
committee sitting is necessary to a decision. 



An appeal from the decision of the committee may 
be taken to the District (if the Court be in District) or 
to the final arbitrators (if the Court be out of District), 
or afterwards from the District Arbitration Committee 
to the final Arbitration Committee, in accordance with 
the District Laws and Art. VIII, of the General Laws. 
The appeal is perfected by serving notice thereof, 
containing the grounds of such appeal, accompanied 
with the necessary deposit, upon the District 'Sec- 
retary or Permanent Secretary, as the case may be, 
duly signed, and a copy of such appeal must be 
served upon the Court by delivering the same to the 
Court Secretary. (For forms see Appendix.) The 
Court must then make a full and complete return of all 
the testimony, documents, decision and proceedings 
to the District or Executive Council, as the case 
may be. Upon the appeal the Court may be repre- 
sented by counsel. An appeal does not have the effect 
to stay the enforcement of the decision of the Court 
committee, unless so ordered. 

CHARGES BY AND AGAINST COURTS. 

1. In cases where the Court itself prefers a charge, 
it may be done by designating some one or more finan- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 63 

cial member or members to draft, prepare and present 
said charge on behalf of the Court, and who shall be 
regarded as the "Committee on Charges." 

In the above cases, the deposit may be dispensed 
with; in all other respects the proceedings are to be 
conducted and the same rules observed as previously- 
indicated under the heading of Arbitration Committee 
Procedure. 

2. Any Court or Courts may prefer charges against 
a sister Court or Courts, and a member of one Court 
may present a charge against a member of another 
Court. 

In the former case, the charge is to be presented to 
the District or the Executive Council, as the case may 
be, and the laws of the District and Subsidiary High 
Court shall prescribe. In the case of disputes between 
two Courts out of District, the Executive Council may 
appoint three members from each of the three nearest 
Courts to try such disputes. (Art. XXY, § 3.) In the 
latter case, it is placed in the Court of which the brother 
complained against is a member. (Art. XXV. § 2.) 

Providing the charges are in proper form, and the 
law complied with, the presiding officer has no discre- 
tion but to accept said charge and refer it to the proper 
channel or tribunal. 

APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF CHIEF RANGERS. 

In Courts out of District, an appeal from the 



64 AN. 1KNT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

decision of the C. R. may be taken direct to the 
,iti\e Council. 'When the Court is in a District, 
the app< :il must first be to the District and afterwards, 
if desired, to the Executive Council. Appeals from 
the decision of a D. C. R. or D. D. C. R. or the Execu- 
tive Council of the District may be taken to the District 
proper, and from there to the Executive Council. 
Appeals bom a D. H. C. R. may be taken direct to the 
itiw Council, as D. H. C. R's are only appointed 
for those ( <>u its out of District. 

The Appellate Tribunals (i. e., the bodies appealed 
to) have the right, upon hearing appeals, to call for 
and r« quire the production of books, papers and docu- 
ments relating to the case, and may affirm, modify or 
reverse any decision or resolution appealed against. 
Appeals must be taken within two months from the 
date of the decision, etc. appealed from. (Art. VIII, 
General Laws. ) D. D. C. R's have no appellate juris- 
diction. 

BXTDlimi TO DISTRICT AXD SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT. 

In 1 mediately upon the initiation, reinstating or ad- 
mittance by clearance of members, or the rejection of 
persons proposed for membership, the Secretary 
should at once return the name, age, occupation, 
whether married or single, to the District Secretary 
and Permanent Secretary. 

In making quarterly returns to the District, the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 65 

names only of those members who are actually financial 
should be returned and paid for. Unfinancial 
members becoming financial in the interim of two 
quarters, their names should at once be returned to the 
District Secretary, and the quarterly dues for the 
quarter or quarters at which they were not returned 
paid in the succeediDg returns. The object of this 
being to avoid liability, either on the part of the Court 
or District, when a member allows himself to run out 
of benefit. It will have, we think, an wholesome 
influence in causing members to be more diligent in 
their own interests, and keep themselves out of arrears, 
so that in case of need they will be entitled to receive 
those benefits vouchsafed by the Order, and for which 
they joined it. It will also secure to the Court and 
members proper protection and their rightful benefits 
by being promptly returned to the District upon 
becoming financial or reinstated. A member who is 
unfinancial in his Court is unfinancial in all his 
relations to the Order, and to return him as "financial" 
to the District at a time when he is " unfinancial " in 
his Court, may not only result in expense and compli- 
cations, but may invite and involve the Court in outside 
trouble and unnecessary controversy. If a member is 
unfinancial and not entitled to sick benefits in his 
Court, and the Court undertakes to return him as 
financial to the District, it may become a serious re- 
sponsibility for the Court should the member sue for 



66 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

sick pay, and show by the Court's return to the District 
that he was by the Court acknowledged as a financial 
member. 

In making annual returns to the District or High 
Court, Secretaries should be careful in the preparation 
and prompt in transmitting such returns. If inexper- 
ienced in compiling and making such returns, they 
should seek the assistance of some more experienced 
Secretary or member. Every neglect is followed by a 
fine, and it behooves Secretaries to keep without the 
pale of them. In all cases the Secretary should be held 
personally responsible by the Court for fines imposed 
upon it through the Secretary's neglect of duty. 

It is a responsibility to have work yet to do, a pleas- 
ure to know that it is already done, and especially for 
one to be enabled to answer affirmatively when asked 
if certain of his duties have been accomplished. Dili- 
gence commands respect and appreciation. Procrasti- 
nation is often fraught with disastrous consequences, 
and creates lack of confidence. 

We again remind Secretaries that they must be 
prompt in making their quarterly returns to the Dis- 
trict or Executive Council, of suspended, precluded and 
expelled members, if any. 

AMENDMENTS TO, AND FRAMING LAWS. 

Amendments, new laws or revision of laws, when 
suggested at the instance of the Court, should be con- 
ducted as follows: 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 67 

A committee of about three members of the Court 
(selected with reference to their experience and famili- 
arity with, and a knowledge of the laws of our Order) 
should be appointed to revise the laws, who should 
meet as often as convenient, carefully examine the 
General Laws, so as to embody in the Court laws the 
provisions applicable to Subordinate Courts; exercise 
great care that the proposed alterations are in harmony 
and not in conflict with the General or District Laws. 
It might prove of advantage were members of the 
Court, not on the committee, to hand to the committee 
any suggestions such members desire to make relative 
to the laws, so that the committee can consider and 
pass upon them while preparing the revision or framing 
new laws. 

The committee should, with as little delay as possi- 
ble, commit their report to writing, setting forth the 
proposed alterations, and present such report to the 
Court, whereupon the Secretary or one of the committee 
(usually the chairman) will read such report when in 
" new " business. This will be regarded as the first read- 
ing. The second reading will take place on the suc- 
ceeding meeting when in "unfinished" business. (To 
save time, the reading of the first and last section will 
suffice for the second reading, unless a full reading is 
requested. ) 

On the succeeding or any subsequent meeting, as 



68 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

may be agreed upon, the members should all be noti- 
fied to attend the third and final reading. 

At this meeting, in " unfinished " business, the pro- 
posed revision and laws will be read, debated and acted 
upon section by section. Each section as read, may be 
adopted, amended, altered or rejected as the members 
may deem advisable, providing, however, that the 
General and District Laws are not infringed upon. The 
motion will be to adopt the section or amendment as 
proposed by the committee; the amendment to the 
motion will be to amend the section proposed for adop- 
tion by striking out and inserting words and such like. 
An amendment " not to adopt " would be out of order, 
as it is but a negative vote. A two-third vote of the 
members present is necessary to the adoption of any 
new law, amendment or alteration of existing laws. 

After the report has been concluded and passed 
upon, a motion should be made to adopt the laws or 
amendments, whichever they be, as a whole, and re- 
pealing all laws or parts of laws, inconsistent therewith. 

The laws as adopted, should then be legibly and 
plainly written out and transmitted to the Executive 
Council or to the District, if the Court be in District, for 
approval. If not in strict conformity to law, the Execu- 
tive Council and District have the right to alter them so 
as to make them conform thereto. 

When approved and returned to the Court, they 
should be copied into a blank book to be known as " the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 69 

Constitution Book," in the manner and for the purpose 
indicated under the title of " signing the Constitution " 
(ante.) 

The laws as approved, should then be printed and 
circulated among the members; to accomplish this, a 
Committee " on Printing " should be appointed. The 
committee who framed or revised the laws is usually 
appointed as the Committee "on Printing." The duty 
of this committee will be to secure estimates for the 
printing, so as to reduce the cost as much as possible. 
After having agreed upon selecting some one of the 
estimates, and placing the manuscript in the hands of 
the printer, they will carefully compare the proof sheets 
with the manuscript and see that all proper corrections 
are made and typographical errors rectified. 

An index and rules of order should likewise be 
carefully prepared and annexed to the laws. 

Casual alterations to laws proposed by any two 
individual members are disposed of in the same 
manner, except that no committee is requisite. 

The alterations being offered, accepted, ordered to 
lie on the table for two meetings, and then acted upon. 
Members should, and indeed must be notified to attend 
the meeting for the consideration of such amendments, 
and when adopted must in like manner be forwarded 
to the Executive Council or District for approval. 
These amendments must also be inserted in the Con- 
stitution Book. 



70 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

VOTING, ETC., BY NEW MEMBERS. 

While a new member cannot vote on the night of 
his initiation, yet he may be nominated for a subordi- 
nate office, although it is not desirable that he 
should be. 

RETENTION OF PAST HONORS. 

A member who becomes precluded or expelled 
forfeits all honors acquired by him during his past 
membership, and should he be reinitiated, his past 
honors are not thereby revived, as he enters as a new 
member, and is only eligible to the rights and advan- 
tages applicable thereto. 

FUNERAL CLAIMS. 

Upon the death of a member belonging to a Court 
in District, or upon his wife's death, the claim for the 
funeral allowance should be made in the manner pre- 
scribed by the form shown in the appendix hereto, 
signed by the C. R, S. C. R. and Secretary of the 
Court. It should also be accompanied by a certificate 
of death, either by the attending physician or coroner; 
and if practicable, a transcript of death by the Board 
of Health in the place where the death occurred. In 
cases of claim by reason of the death of a member's 
wife, the certificate of marriage should also be trans- 
mitted with the above papers. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 71 

INITIATION FEES AND CLEARANCES IN NEW COURTS. 

New 'Courts may establish any scale of entrance 
fees they deem proper, for the first twelve months of 
their existence, after which they must conform to the 
General Law, by fixing such entrance fees at a sum not 
less than that prescribed by General Law. (Art. XYI, 

§ 12.) 

Courts which have been established less than one 
year cannot grant clearances. 

When a member becomes entitled to a clearance he 
must be free from charges and indebtedness in his 
Court, and pay three months' dues in advance at the 
date of receiving such clearance. (Art. XVIII.) 

COURTS REMOVING. 

Before a Court can legally remove from one meeting 
place to that of another, it must procure the consent of 
the three nearest Courts (provided there be as many 
Courts within a radius of five miles) and of the District 
if in District, or of the Executive Council if out of Dis- 
trict. Before any Court determines to change its place 
or night of meeting all members must be notified to 
attend a meeting for that purpose. 

The object and purpose of procuring the consent, as 
before indicated, is to avoid overcrowding Courts in 
localities and to prevent the individual interests of 
Courts clashing or interfering with each other, and 



72 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

furthermore, to ascertain as to the respectability, etc., 
of the proposed place of meeting, and that -it is in no 
way objectionable as a place wherein to hold the meet- 
ings of a Court of Forestry. 

To change the night of meeting, the consent of the 
District or Executive Council is alone necessary. 

ENDOWMENT FUND. 

1. — Applying for Membership. As soon as a mem- 
ber's certificate and declaration is prepared, the offi- 
cers should verify, sign and seal the same, and the 
Secretary must forthwith forward it together with the 
entrance fee of one dollar and twenty-five cents to the 
Permanent Secretary, who will, if all be correct, return 
the certificate of membership. 

2. — Assessments. As soon as the Secretary receives 
notice of assessment, he should at once notify the Endow- 
ment Fund members of his Court, and as speedily there- 
after as practicable, and at least within thirty days 
collect said assessment and remit it to the Executive 
Council. The money order for the remittance should 
be made payable to the High Court Treasurer, but 
enclosed in an envelope with the return sheet, and 
directed to the Permanent Secretary. A failure to 
so forward the money renders the Court liable for its 
miscarriage. 

3. The law authorizes Courts to deduct the ex- 
penses of collecting and remitting the assessments, etc., 



ANCIENT OBDEK OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 73 

from the amount so collected; in doing this the Secre- 
tary should, in each instance, forward to the Executive 
Council an itemized statement of such expenses, and 
also vouchers of same when required. The Permanent 
Secretary must send a receipt for the full amount, and 
credit the account and High Court Treasurer with the 
expenses as so much disbursed. 

4. The Secretary should carefully study and famili- 
arize himself with the Endowment Law, so that the 
rights of members be not prejudiced. 

5. In forwarding proof of death, we have included 
in the appendix the form of affidavit and proof requir- 
ed, although reference to the law will clearly define the 
necessary requirements. Art. XXXIV, § 15, viz.: 
notice (as in case of claim for funeral allowance) signed 
by the Secretary, with seal of the Court, transcript 
of death, if obtainable, or if not, then an affidavit (as in 
the appendix) containing the name, age, date, place and 
cause of death, duration of sickness, from attack to time 
of death. This affidavit must be made by the attending 
physician or coroner. A similar affidavit by the per- 
son or persons entitled to receive the Endowment Fund 
allowance; these affidavits must be sworn to before a 
Justice of the Peace or Notary Public. If the deceased 
left a will, then a sworn copy must also be sent, with 
a certificate from the Surrogate or Probate Judge of the 
granting of letters testamentary, or of administration 
if the claim be made by the executor or administrator. 



74 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

If the claim be made by the widow, she must insert 
in the foregoing affidavit the fact of her marriage, and 
that it existed at the time of the death of the deceased, 
accompanying said affidavit with the marriage certifi- 
cate or a copy thereof. 

The officers of the Court of which the deceased was 
a member are expected, and in duty bound to see that 
the foregoing requirements are complied with and the 
proof forwarded to the Executive Council without any 
unnecessary delay. Any expense attending the above 
must be borne by the party who is to receive the money. 
The Executive Council may, if in their judgment it be 
necessary, demand such other proof as may be just and 
proper. 

There is no limit as to time within which the 
endowment has to be paid, but as soon as the draft is 
received by the Secretary he should deliver it to the 
party to whose orders the draft is made payable, taking 
his, her or their receipt therefor, together with the 
certificate of membership, cancelled, and forward both 
to the Permanent Secretary. 

REMOVAL AND IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS AND DELEGATES. 

Officers and delegates may be impeached and de- 
posed for insolent demeanor, incompetency, malfeas- 
ance, abuse of power, etc. (Art. XXI, General Laws.) 

This may be done by a majority vote at any regular 
meeting of the Court, or at a special meeting summoned 
for that purpose. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 75 

These offenses are tried by the Court, and in that 
respect differs from the trial by arbitration. 

SUNDAY BUSINESS NOT ALLOWED. 

No business of any kind (except funerals), pic-nics 
or other entertainments and enterprises connected with 
the Order is permissable on Sunday. A violation 
of this law is punishable by fine, suspension or expul- 
sion. (Art. XXIII, General Laws.) 

THE NAME OF THE ORDER NOT TO BE USED FOR PERSONAL 
BENEFIT. 

Any member using the name of the Order for his 
pecuniary benefit is liable to a fine of twenty-five dol- 
lars. (Art. XXIV.) 

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, ETC., JOLNING THE A. O. F. IN A BODY. 

Any association, club or society may be admitted 
and instituted as Courts of Forestry. In respect to 
such cases, the Executive Council have discretionary 
powers as to the age of the applicants. (Art. XXVII, 
§7.) 

The cost of opening a new Court is now fixed at 
twenty-four dollars and fifty cents. (Id., § 4.) 

NAMES OF COURTS. 

A Court already instituted desiring to change its 
name, or a new Court to be opened cannot assume as 



76 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

its name, one already adopted and in use by another 
Court, nor assume the name of any living person, or 
that of a defunct Court. (Art. XXVII, § 5 General 
Laws. ) 

WITHDRAWAL FROM SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT, OR DISTRICT 
COURT. 

Courts wishing to withdraw from the Subsidiary 
High Court or District Court may do so upon the fol- 
lowing conditions: 

1. Calling a meeting of the members for that pur- 
pose, and securing the assent of the members thereto. 

2. Paying up all arrears, dues, etc., and otherwise 
place themselves in good standing with the Subsidiary 
High Court and District. 

3. Making application in writing, under the seal of 
the Court — signed by the C. R, S. C. R and Secretary, 
at least three months prior to the Subsidiary High 
Court or District meeting. 

4. Procuring a three-fourths vote of the delegates 
assembled at any such Subsidiary High Court or Dis- 
trict Court meeting. (Art. XXVII, § 6.) 

(See under head of "withdrawing from Subsidiary 
High Court," for proceedings subsequent to procuring 
permission to withdraw. ) 

COMMUNICATIONS TO SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT. 

Except as to the Endowment Fund, all communica- 
tions to the Subsidiary High Court must be sent 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 77 

through the District Secretary, when Courts are in Dis- 
trict. Courts not in District may communicate direct. 
(Art. XXIX, § 1.) 

Individual members (except members of the Sub- 
sidiary High Court Sick and Funeral Fund), are not per- 
mitted to communicate or correspond with the Execu- 
tive Council or Subsidiary High Court. (Id., § 2.) 

GENERAL LAWS OF THE ORDER. 

The General Laws of the Order are to be consulted 
and complied with when a matter arises, to meet 
which, there is no Subsidiary High Court, District or 
Court Law. (Art. XXX.) 

LIABILITY OF HIGH COURTS FOR DEBTS OF SUBORDINATE 
COURTS. 

It has frequently been supposed that Courts which 
have claims against a sister Court, for money advanced 
at its request, in case of non-payment, have a right to 
be reimbursed by the Subsidiary High Court. This 
supposition is erroneous, as no such liability exists. 
The remedy is to sue the Court, or prefer charges and 
have it suspended. The High Court is only liable for 
the sick and funeral benefits of members attached to 
the High Court Sick and Funeral Fund, and for the 
funeral benefits of clearance members whose Courts 
have broken up before such members become entitled 
thereto in the Courts accepting the clearance, and then 



78 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

only upon compliance with the law. (See remarks 
under "Clearance Membership." (Art. XVIII, §§ 5-6.) 

AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL LAWS. 

Courts wishing to offer amendments to the General 
Laws, must adopt the same at a regular Court meet- 
ing, or a special meeting called for that purpose. 

Such amendments should be legibly written on one 
side of the paper only; signed by the Secretary, under 
the seal of the Court, and forwarded to the Permanent 
Secretary, prior to the 30th day of June previous to the 
ensuing Subsidiary High Court meeting. 

Amendments to General Laws adopted at the Sub- 
sidiary High Court meeting, take effect on the first day 
of October following. 

Kesolutions passed thereat, unless otherwise or- 
dered, take effect immediately upon the adjournment 
of the meeting. 

APPROVAL TO INITIATE NEW MEMBERS. 

When the approval to initiate new members becomes 
necessary, and the Courts to which application therefor 
should be made have ceased to exist, or are under sus- 
pension or been expelled, application must in such cases 
be made to the District, if the Court was in District; if 
out of District, then to the Executive Council. This 
should be done to verify the candidate's right or elegi- 
bility to be re- admitted in the order, and as a safeguard 
against fraud and imposition. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 79 
ABSENCE OF QUORUM AT COURT MEETING. 

Should it occur that a sufficient number of members 
to constitute a quorum fail to attend a Court meeting, 
the C. R., after waiting one hour, should adjourn. 

Those members, however, attending and desiring to 
pay their dues, etc., must be permitted to do so. 

Courts failing to hold its regular meetings, or 
its membership becoming reduced to less than a 
legal quorum (9) are liable to forfeit their dispensation. 
(Art. XIX.) 

CONSOLIDATION OF COURTS. 

To accomplish the consolidation of two or more 
Courts, the following course should be strictly pursued: 

1. The members of each Court should be summon- 
ed and a discussion had as to the advisability of the 
project. 

2. Each Court should furnish the other with a 
correct and full statement of its affairs, viz.: cash in 
bank, cash in Treasurer's hand and in other depositaries, 
properties, goods, etc. ; number of members, specifying 
the age and standing of each, together with a full and 
correct account of the Court's liabilities. 

3. If such statements and accounts prove satisfac- 
tory and the Courts determine upon a consolidation, a 
committee should then be appointed by each Court, to 
meet in joint conference and arrange for the transfer 
of the effects, audit the accounts, and decide upon the 



80 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

name of the Court as consolidated. It has frequently 
occurred and become customary to adopt the name 
and number of the senior Court. 

4. After these preliminaries have been satisfactori- 
ly arranged a meeting of the members of the Courts 
to be consolidated, should be convened; a surrender of 
the effects of the incoming Court or Courts should 
be made, and the meeting then proceed to elect new 
officers for the balance of the term, unless it is agreed 
that the officers of either one of the Courts shall be 
retained as the officers of the consolidated Court. 

5. Before the amalgamation can be finally consum- 
mated, application for permission to amalgamate must be 
made to the District or Executive Council of the Sub- 
sidiary High Court, to the latter if the Courts be out of 
District. If one Court be in District and the other out 
of District, the one will have to make application to 
the District and the other to the Executive Council 
of the Subsidiary High Court. 

6. Upon receiving the permission required, notice 
of the amalgation should at once be given to the 
District or Executive Council or to both as in the case 
above indicated. The dispensation of the Court or 
Courts whose name is not retained, must be surrendered 
to the District or Executive Council for cancellation. 
If the members should determine upon an entire 
change of name, then all the dispensations must be 
surrendered, and application made for a new one with 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 81 

the new name as agreed upon. This will be granted 
upon the pre-payment of three dollars. 

7. Arrangements will have to be made as to the 
By-Laws of the Oourt, either the laws of one or the 
other of the Courts will have to be retained, or a new 
code of laws drafted in the manner suggested under 
the head of "Amendments, etc., to Laws." 

The assent of at least three-fourths of the members 
should be necessary to effect the consolidation. 

BEADING AND COMPARING SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT REPORTS 
AND CREDITS, WITH AMOUNTS REMITTED. 

As soon as the Subsidiary High Court quarterly re- 
port is received, the financial account therein should be 
examined, in order to ascertain whether the court has 
been credited with all remittances, and a like course 
should be pursued in respect to the District report or 
balance sheet. 

If upon such examination any inaccuracy or omis- 
sion appear, notification thereof should, under the seal 
of the Court, be forwarded to the chairman of the 
Audit Committee of the Subsidiary High Court or Dis- 
trict. The correction to be noted or printed in the 
next report. 

The C. R. must at the first regular meeting after 
the receipt of the Subsidiary High Court quarterly 
reports, read the address to the Court, or in default, is 
liable to a fine of one dollar. 



82 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

DEFICIENCIES IN FUNDS ACCOUNT. 

At the end of each year, if there is a balance 
against either of the funds of the Court, the Court 
must immediately make good such balance by a levy 
upon its members, to be collected as in the case of dues. 
(Art. XVI, § 18.) 

INCORPORATION OF COURTS. 

It is incumbent upon all Courts to secure their in- 
corporation under the laws of the State wherein locat- 
ed, so as to give them a local, legal and corporate 
standing in the community, as well as in courts of law, 
in case occasion should arise whereby the aid of such 
tribunals is sought. 

Incorporation overcomes many obstacles, and en- 
ables the Court to sue and be sued in its corporate 
name; while if not incorporated, suits would have to be 
brought by or against the C. R., as President, the 
Trustees, or the members collectively, according to 
the laws of the differeDt States. In point of fact and 
as a general rule, all unincorporated associations are 
regarded, in States where the common law rule prevails, 
as co-partnerships, thus making each individual member 
liable for the whole indebtedness of the society or asso- 
ciation. 

SUSPENSION OF COURTS. 

Courts may be suspended for the following causes: 
1. Failure to hold its regular stated meetings with- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 8& 

out procuring from the Subsidiary High Court or Dis- 
trict a dispensation or authority for such cessation of 
business. 

2. For improper conduct, neglect or refusal to con- 
form to the Ritual, Laws, Resolutions and Mandates of 
the High Court, Subsidiary High Court, or District 
Court. 

3. For neglecting or refusing to make prompt, 
regular and proper returns, non-payment of dues, or by 
reason of its membership diminishing to less than nine 
members. 

Suspension incurs a forfeiture of dispensation, rit- 
uals and lecture books. 

Any Court having been suspended and failing to 
become reinstated within eighteen months from the 
date of such suspension, becomes, by operation of law, 
expelled from the Order. 

Suspension from a Court, District, Subsidiary High 
Court or High Court, is a suspension from the Order; 
the one follows the other as a necessary consequence, 
(Art. XIX, General Laws.) 

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. 

An honorary member must be proposed and initia- 
ted as in the case of a benefit member, except, however, 
that he is not limited to age, nor is a medical examina- 
tion and certificate necessary. 



54 ANGIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

The custom of conferring by one Court the degree 
of honorary membership upon a benefit member of a 
sister Court is not permissible. (Art. XVI, § 10.) 

PROPOSITION AND INITIATION THE SAME MEETING. 

Seafaring men who are about to go to sea, may be 
proposed and initiated at one and the same meeting. 

Though no provision is made therefor by the Sub- 
sidiary High Court laws, it is so provided by the Gen- 
eral Laws of the Order. 

COLORED MEMBERS. 

We have in our Order, Courts composed of colored 
persons. If any member of those Courts should apply 
for admission as a visitor to any other Court, he is, as a 
matter of strict right, entitled to admission upon giving 
the proper alarm, pass- word, etc., as in the case of 
white members. Any Court refusing to admit such 
colored visitors would be liable to a fine or sus- 
pension. 

SECRET MEETINGS. 

The meetings of all Courts must be open and public 
to the members of the Order. 

Courts holding secret sessions and denying admis- 
sion to qualified members of sister Courts, are liable to 
expulsion. 

CONTEMPT. 

Any District, Court, officer or member guilty of 
printing, publishing or circulating any article or mat- 



ANCIENT GKDER OP FORESTERS' MANUAL. 85 

ter derogatory to the Order, District, Court, officer or 
member, or guilty of any other unforestic conduct, is 
liable to a fine, suspension or expulsion. (Art. XXV. ) 
By unforestic conduct is meant anything improper or 
contrary to the teachings of the Ritual. 

REINSTATING COURTS SECEDED OR SUSPENDED FROM THE ORDER. 

As to the reinstating, etc., of Courts that have 
seceded or been suspended, and the relative rights of 
the members thereof who voted against such secession, 
or the act for the commission of which the Court was 
suspended, see Art. XXVI. In such cases, the 
members above referred t© are entitled to clearances, 
membership in, and protection from the Subsidiary 
High Court or District Court. 

They should, immediately upon the suspension, 
expulsion, secession or breaking up of their Court, 
make application, with proof of their absence or vote 
at the meeting at which the act took place, to the Dis- 
trict or Subsidiary High Court, to be admitted as mem- 
bers of the Sick and Funeral Fund thereof, or for 
clearances to enable them to enter some other Court. 
The application must be made within one month, but 
if the applicant resides at a distance of over five miles 
from the place where the Court was held, then an 
additional month is allowed to make such application. 

In the event of there being nine or more members 
who voted in the minority, or were absent, as before 



86 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

indicated, and so desiring, they are entitled to recog- 
nition by the Executive Council as the same Court to 
which they formerly belonged, and the Executive Coun- 
cil are authorized to issue a new dispensation bearing 
the same name and number, provided the original dis- 
pensation cannot be obtained. 

It will be observed that every inducement, encour- 
agement and protection is offered and guaranteed to 
those members who remain true and faithful to their 
obligation, and to maintain sacred the pledges they 
have made upon their honor as men. 

DEPUTY DISTRICT CHIEF RANGERS. 

These officers have, by appointment, oversight over 
all the work and proceedings of the Courts for which 
they hold a commission. Their duty is to install new 
officers, open new Courts, and perform such other ser- 
vices as may be required of them by the H. C. R. or 
D. C. R. (Art, XXVIII, § 1.) 

They may also render decisions upon the laws, etc., 
but their acts and decisions are appealable to and may 
be affirmed, modified or reversed by the H. C. R. or D. 
C. R. (Id., § 2.) 

MISCONDUCT AND THE FINES. 

A member persuading another to leave the Court to 
which he belongs to join another, is liable to a fine of 
five dollars. For urging a candidate to withdraw his 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 87 

proposition for membership from one Court to offer it 
to another, the fine is five dollars. Any Court accept- 
ing such member or proposition with a knowlege of 
the facts, is liable to a fine of ten dollars. 

Making known to strangers any of the secrets, 
signs, etc., of the Order, is punishable by permanent 
expulsion from the Order. 

Disclosing objections made to candidate's admission 
or the name of a brother making such objection, is- 
punishable by a fine of ten dollars or expulsion. 

Should any brother (except the C. R. or Secretary) 
give the pass-word or countersign to another brother, 
either in or out of Court, or make known to strangers 
any resolution of, or discussion used in any meeting, 
to the injury or disparagement of a member, Court or 
the Order, he may be fined according to the discretion 
of the Court. 

A member visiting a sister Court, or acting as an 
officer therein, he must conform to its laws, resolutions, 
regulations and usages, or in default thereof, he is held 
amenable in the same manner, and subject to the like 
penalty, as would be inflicted upon a member of the 
same Court. (Art. XXXII, §§ 1-5.) 

JUVENILE FORESTERS. 

Juvenile Foresters' societies may be formed upon 
application to the District or Subsidiary High Court, 
for a dispensation therefor. 



88 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Youths between the ages of eight and eighteen 
years are eligible to membership. 

The benefits to the members are medical attend- 
ance, medicine, sick pay, funeral allowance, and pay- 
ment of entrance fee for admission into the Order and 
Endowment Fund. 

Their funds must be kept entirely separate from 
the funds of the senior Court, and in no case shall a 
senior Court or District incur any liability for members 
of a Juvenile Court. 

The Subsidiary High Court is authorized to supply 
the dispensation, necessary goods and paraphernalia. 

At each session of the Subsidiary High Court, the 
pass-word for the Juvenile Courts, for each half-year is 
declared, for use until the next Subsidiary High Court 
meeting. 

In organizing these societies, the C. E. and Treas- 
urer of the senior Court or some other members as 
may be agreed upon, become the presiding officer and 
Treasurer. 

The other officers, viz.: Vice-President, Secretary, 
Trustees, Auditors, etc., are selected from the Juveniles, 
all of whom are entitled to a voice and vote in the 
selection. 

Books of account and records should be kept as in 
a Court of Forestry. 

The transfer of members to the senior Court is 
made by proposition and initiation as in the case 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 89' 

of adults. The transfer is effected when the Juvenile 
reaches eighteen years of age, and usually into the 
Court by which the society was organized. 

The contributions and benefits must be determined 
as may seem to the adult officers legitimate and con sis- 
tent. No benefits should be paid out during the first 
six months of the organization. 

Keturns to the District and High Court have to be 
made the same as by Courts, except, that no payments 
have to be made thereto by way of dues or per capita 
tax; these returns should be made by the Secretary of 
the Court organizing said society. 

Laws should be drafted, printed and distributed 
among the members. (Art. XXXIII.) 

AUDITING ACCOUNTS. 

In auditing accounts, the auditors should affix their 
initials to the vouchers and stubs audited. The Treas- 
urer's vouchers should, after the balance has been 
made, be surrendered by him to the Court, labeled and 
safely deposited in the Court chest. 

The auditors should compare the entries in the 
cash book with the entries in the ledger accounts. The 
Treasurer's receipts should be compared with the cash 
account, and the addition of each night's receipts, as 
footed up by the Secretary, should also be verified. 
The minutes should be carefully examined and see 
that all fines are charged, and when remitted credited. 



90 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

An itemized account should be made of the 
amounts due by members, together -with the names of 
the members who are so indebted. 

When presenting the report of the audit, the state- 
ment of the arrearages should accompany it. 

The auditors will also examine the expenditures, 
and see that a receipt accompanies each warrant, 
either separately or upon the warrant itself, and also 
see that the legitimate amounts have been paid to the 
Subsidiary High Court, District, the various salaried 
officers, sick benefits, etc. 

The bank books should be carefully examined, the 
interest regularly added, arid the books balanced at 
least twice a year by the bank. 

For further suggestions relative to the audit, see 
subject of "Accounts." 

DIVISION OF FUNDS. 

To the Sick and Funeral Fund fifty per cent, of the 
receipts for dues is usually applied, together with the 
whole amount paid by the District for funeral allow- 
ances, etc. Sick benefits, funeral allowances and ex- 
penses are paid out of this fund. 

To the Management Fund, forty per cent, of the re- 
ceipts for dues, the proposition and entrance fees from 
new, reinstated, clearance and honorary members, fines, 
receipts for goods, interest, etc. Out of this fund, all 
the management expenses are paid, and indeed, every- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 91 

thing except benevolence, sick benefits, funeral allow- 
ances and funeral expenses. 

To the Benevolent Fund, ten per cent, of the dues. 
Out of this fund, only donations to distressed members 
are paid. 

PAYMENTS BY TREASURER, AND RECEIPTS. 

The Treasurer should be particular in securing re- 
ceipts for all moneys paid by him. His vouchers to 
pay, are neither receipts nor safeguards for him — they 
are but orders for payment to be made, and not in them- 
selves proof of such payment. 

WILFUL ERRORS AND DISHONESTY. 

If the several suggestions herein offered are fol- 
lowed, wilful or unintentional errors will be made 
impracticable. Dishonesty will be rarely attempted, 
as its certain discovery, and the consequences will be 
realized so clearly as to offer no inducement or tempta- 
tion for a member to ruin his reputation and wreck his 
prospects in the fraternity, and out of it. 

THE MEANS OF PROSPERITY. 

Security in respect to the funds, a strict scrutiny, 
oversight and periodical examinations into the financial 
affairs of the Court, together with a diligent, faithful 
and careful administration, coupled with economy in 
disbursements, cannot fail to promote and insure both 
the financial and numerical prosperity of the Court. 



92 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

SIGNING AUDITOR'S REPORT. 

The Audit Keport should be signed by the auditors 
and countersigned by the Treasurer and Secretary so 
as to bind all parties to its accuracy. 

PROCURING GOODS. 

An individual member cannot be supplied with 
goods by the Subsidiary High Court. Orders for 
goods must be sent through, and by the Court when 
the Court is out of District, and through the District, 
by Courts in a District. Orders must be accompanied 
with the remittance therefor. 

HONORS CREDITED. 

A member who has served the last two-thirds of a 
term in any office, is entitled to the honors thereof. 
(Art. XVI, § 5.) 

DISSOLUTION OF COURTS. 

A Court cannot be dissolved so long as a legal 
quorum is able and willing to continue and maintain it. 
(Vide Resolution of 4th Executive Council, page 22, 
Subsidiary High Court Report, April, 1878.) §§y| 

WITHDRAWING FROM SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT. 

In addition to the requirements herein previously 
noted, and before they can be recognized by t he High 
Court of the Order, Courts desiring to withdraw from 
the Subsidiary High Court, are required to first ob- 



ANCIENT OBDEB OP FOBESTEES' MANUAL. 93 

tain the sanction of the Subsidiary High Court under 
its seal, and forward the same to the Executive Coun- 
cil of the High Court of the Order. 

JOINING THE SUBSIDIAEY HIGH C0UET. 

Courts desiring to join the Subsidiary High Court 
must first obtain the assent, under seal, of the Subsidi- 
ary High Court or its Executive Council for admission, 
and forward the same to the Executive Council of the 
High Court with their application for transfer. 

FUNEEALS. 

Whenever information is sent to, or received by 
any officer of a Court, of the death of a member, or of 
the wife of a member, the C. E., together with such of 
the officers as he may call to his assistance, should 
immediately repair to the residence of the deceased, 
and do all in their power to comfort, console and aid 
the mourners; also make the necessary arrangements 
with the undertaker for the funeral (unless the family 
of the deceased desire otherwise) being careful how- 
ever not to pledge the credit of the Court beyond the 
sum prescribed by the laws, to be paid upon the death 
of a member or member's wife. 

The C. R. will ascertain from the representative of 
the family the cemetery in which the interment is to be 
made, the time and day when the funeral is to take 
place, the names and particulars of any other societies 
to which the deceased belonged, the name and resi- 



94 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

dence of their presiding officer or officers, with whom 
the C. R will consult relative to assisting in perfecting 
the funeral arrangements. Finally the C. K. should 
learn what funeral ceremonies are desired and have 
been arranged for by the relatives of the deceased. 

Pending these preliminaries, the C. R. will direct 
the Secretary to notify the members of the Court, also 
the District Secretary, if the Court be in District, of the 
death, and the date, time, and place of the funeral. 

The members should receive timely notice, and be 
summoned to attend at some designated place of meet- 
ing, near the residence of the deceased, at least one 
hour previous to the time of day fixed upon for the 
funeral. The members should form in a double line, 
and in that manner proceed to the place from whence 
the funeral is to proceed, arranging to arrive at their 
destination in ample season. 

Before starting, however, from the place of meeting, 
the C. R. should appoint four pall-bearers or as many 
as may be agreed upon between him and the other 
society or societies expected to be present. Each is 
entitled to select an equal number of pall-bearers, who 
in the aggregate seldom exceed six. The pall-bearers 
should be dressed in black and black high hats (as 
indeed, should all who follow the remains.) The mem- 
bers should be provided with white cotton gloves and 
crape armlets, at the expense of the Court, which, after 
the funeral must be returned to the Court. 



ANCIENT OBDER OF FORESTERS' JBES&M&. $5 

If arrangements have been made for our ceremonies 
to be held, they will take place in the order and at "a 
time agreed upon. ^ t" -j 

The D. C. R. or his deputy, if the Court be in 'Dis- 
trict, or if not, then the D. H. C. R. or C. R. c^ the 
Court will read the funeral ceremony (Ritual; page 66), 
subject, however, to the right of the clergyman, if one 
be present, to first perform his' office. During the 
ceremonies the officiating officer will be stationed at the 
head, and the next highest officer will be stationed' at 
the foot of the coffin, with the other officers and mem- 
bers present on the sides. The head and foot of the 
coffin to be reserved for the two officers mentioned, 
and for the relatives and friends. ■ :i A "■ - -"' 7 ' - 

The services being concluded^ the -members^ will 
pass around the coffin to view the remains, and rwith 
the exception of the pall-bearers and the officiating ioffi> 
cers will pass on and out into the- : street, where; they 
will form in line as before, ready to follow the hear^a. 

The pall-bearers after placing ; 4he' coffin in -the 
hearse, will then station themselves T ol'gach side of the 
hearse, and accompany it to the point agreedr-upon for 
disbanding. r'-:; ; lescf w-ari 

The members and others on foot, will follow in the 
rear of the hearse, followed by the carriage cbntaihiil^ 
the mourners. The Court officers '^iir walk m the Tear 
of the members, the carriage for them-remaining^itf-th^ 



96 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

line, but unoccupied until the place for disbandment is 
reached. The C. E. and S. C. E. should carry their 
gavels draped in crape. 

Upon arriving within one hundred yards or there- 
abouts of the disbanding point, the hearse should be 
stopped, and the members proceed to the front and 
stand in open file, facing each other, and so remain 
with heads uncovered until the funeral cortege has 
again started and passed through the ranks thus 
formed. After this has been done, each society will 
pass through the other's ranks as a token of respect — 
with heads remaining uncovered. In cases where the 
doctrine of religion is opposed thereto, the uncovering 
of heads will not take place. 

The procession will then disband, the officers enter- 
ing their carriage, and the funeral proceed to the place 
of interment. 

(Should the remains be taken to the church before 
proceeding to the cemetery, the same proceedings will 
be undergone as at the house, except as to the reading 
of the funeral ceremony of the fraternity. ) 

On arriving at the cemetery, and after the remains 
have been deposited in the grave, if there be no objec- 
tion made thereto by the officiating minister, the 
second portion of the funeral ceremony should be read 
in the same order, as to the position of the officers and 
members, as at the house. (Eitual, page 70.) 



ANCIENT OBDER OF FOEESTEES' MANUAL. 97 

Each member should be provided with a sprig of 
evergreen at the grave; and when the ceremonies are 
concluded, the officiating officer should throw his ever- 
green upon the coffin in the grave, repeating — "with 
the leaves of the forest I cover thee, oh ! my brother." 

The members should then throw their evergreens 
in the grave. 

The C. R. of the Court should act as marshal during 
the procession, to secure discipline and uniformity in all 
details. 

If the District officers go to the grave, the Court 
should hire the carriage for them, and charge the 
expense thereof to the District. 

None but mourning sashes should be worn at the 
funeral. 

At the meeting of the Court subsequent to the 
funeral of a member, member's wife, father, mother, 
sister, brother or child, the Court (when in the order 
of business known as "sick and distressed") should be 
signalled to arise, and maintain solemn silence during 
the time of three minutes lor a member, two minutes 
for a member's wife, one minute for a member's father, 
mother, sister, brother or child. 

The dispensation, upon the death of a member, 
should be draped in mourning, as should also the 
gavels, for the space of thirty days. 



98 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

ORGANIZATION OF COURTS. 

The person having in charge the formation of a new 
Court will proceed as near as practicable in the follow- 
ing order: 

1. Procure the names of nine persons who are 
eligible and willing to become members; the eligibility 
will consist of being a white male, between eighteen 
and forty-live years of age, of sound health and limb; 
believer in the existence of a Sujireme Being, and of 
good moral character; and if a married man, that his 
wife is in good health. (Art. XVI, § 7.) 

As soon as the nine candidates are secured or se- 
lected from a list of persons who have contributed as 
jnopoxed members, they should be initiated in the open- 
ing court. By "the opening Court" is meant, the 
Court which takes charge of the arrangements, and is 
usually the Court of which the organizer is a member. 

From among the nine members selected for initia- 
tion in the opening Court, three of them are also to be 
selected as the "founders" of the new Court, whose 
names will appear in the dispensation which will be 
delivered to the new Court at its inauguration. The 
names of three other members of the Order, or three 
proposed members of the new Court, who have quali- 
fied for admission may be selected. 

The initiation fees may be fixed at any sum agreed 
upon by the organizers, for the reason that for the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 99 

first year of a Court's existence it is at liberty to adopt 
any scale it pleases. (Art. XVI, § 12.) The organi- 
zers of the new Court should determine upon the fol- 
lowing particulars which may be agreed upon during 
the preliminary organization meetings: 

1. The name of the Court, which must not be that 
of any defunct Court, any existing Court or of any 
living person. (Art. XXVII, § 5.) 

2. The selection of a physician and apothecary — 
the former must be or become a member of the Order. 
(Art. XXVII, § 13.) One person may fill both offices. 

3. The place and time of meeting. 

4. The night of institution. 

5. Nominate the officers and Trustees. 

Having agreed upon the foregoing, the petition and 
application for a dispensation must next be prepared, 
(blank forms can be obtained from the Executive 
Council or District free of charge,) the names of the 
nine or more members initiated will be filled in, each 
signing his own name, the opening Court will prepare 
the application, and see that it is properly filled up, 
and then attach its seal and the signature of the three 
principal officers. 

If there be three or more Courts within a radius of 
five miles of the intended place of meeting of the new 
Court, application must be made to the three Courts 
nearest thereto for sanction to open said new Court. 
Such sanction is given by a vote of the Court, and an 



100 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

impression of its seal affixed to the application form 
before alluded to. Should sanction be refused, the 
circumstances should, at once, be referred to the Exe- 
cutive Council or District, who may, in its or their dis- 
cretion, and deeming it in the interest of the Order so 
to do, grant the prayer of the said petition and issue 
a dispensation without regard to the refusal of the 
sanction aforesaid. If there be less than three or no 
court at all within the said radius of five miles of the 
proposed Court, the formula of applying to the three 
nearest Courts for sanction may be dispensed with. 

The petition and application being in readiness, the 
opening Court will forward the same in due time for 
the opening, which should be at least seven days pre- 
viously to the Executive Council or District, if the 
Court be in District, together with twenty-four dollars 
and fifty cents, in return for which the said Executive 
Council wiil forward to the District, if the Court be in 
District, or to the opening Court, or D. H. C. K., if the 
Court be out of District, the dispensation, C. K. and S. 
C. R.'s Eituals, and installations, etc., work, eight offi- 
cers' ribbons and one seal; anything required in addi- 
tion to the foregoing, such as reports, General Laws, 
member's certificates, directories, sashes, blanks, elec- 
trotypes, odes, etc., will have to be ordered and paid 
for in accordance with the prices set forth in the price 
list of goods annexed to the quarterly reports. 

On the night of opening, the District officers, to- 
gether with the officers of the opening Court, will as- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 101 

semble at the time and place appointed for opening 
the new Court. 

The District officers will preside, with the assistance 
of the officers of the opening Court. If the opening 
Court is not in a District, then they will assume entire 
charge, unless there be a D. H. C. K. or D. D. C. R, in 
which event he will assume control in conjunction with 
the officers of the opening Court. 

The presiding officer having called the assemblage to 
order he will be cautious to ascertain that none but 
legal Foresters are present, all others must be excluded. 
He will then proceed in accordance with the Kitual, 
(page 31,) after which he must read the dispensation 
and make ths declaration of institution. (Eitual, page 
32.) 

The presiding officer, together with his assistants, 
will next proceed to the initiation of such candidates 
as may be in attendance, after which the election and 
installation of officers must take place. 

In this connection it may be mentioned that any 
one of the newly initiated members, or any member of 
the opening Court, may become the C. R for the first 
term, although for the purpose of instructing the new 
Court it would be preferable to select as C. E. and Se- 
cretary any present members of the Order, who may 
have assisted or been instrumental in forming the new 
Court, because of their experience, and as a matter of 
courtesy and honor. If this is not practicable, then 



102 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

the C. E. and Secretary of the opening Court should 
be selected to fill the same positions in the new Court 
for the first term. 

The election and installation of officers having been 
concluded, the C. K. will proceed to appoint his com- 
mittees, viz. : An Audit Committee, consisting of three 
members, an Arbitration Committee of seven members, 
(Art. XVI, § 17; see also section herein headed "Arbi- 
tration Committee,") and select a member to complete 
the Finance Committee. (Art. XVII, § 12.) 

There should also be elected three Trustees, neither 
of whom must be Treasurer or Secretary, and, if in 
District, two District delegates. 

All officers elected or appointed continue in office 
until the succeeding general election, pursuant to Art. 
XVI, §§ 5-6, except the Arbitration Committee, which 
continues in office until the first meeting in the follow- 
ing January. 

In addition to the above committees, a committee 
should be appointed to draft a Constitution and By- 
Laws, and until they are prepared, adopted and ap- 
proved, (as suggested under the head of "Amendments, 
etc., to Laws,") the Court should select the By-Laws of 
some sister Court for its government, although the 
General Laws will be found to be very full in respect 
to the government of Subordinate Courts. 

The By-Laws should contain provision for name of 
Court, time and place of meeting, objects, rights and 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 103 

liabilities of members, election and duties of officers, 
(see Arts. XVI and XVII,) fines for dereliction and 
omission of duty, quarterly audits, bonds for Treasurer 
and Secretary, and such like, particular regard being 
had to the incorporation of the provisions contained in 
the General and District Laws relative to Subordinate 
Courts. 

The committees having been appointed, the C. R. 
will continue with the order of business as per Art. 
XVI, § 20. 

N. B. If the intended new Court be more than 
three miles from the opening Court, the initiation of 
nine members into the opening Court, as well as the 
certificate of the opening Court that such initiations 
have taken place, may be dispensed with, and all the 
candidates may be initiated on the night of opening. 

Every new Court from its inception should adhere 
strictly to the following principles : 

1. Adopt clear and explicit rules for the govern- 
ment of the Court. 

2. Have bonds with the Treasurer ana 1 Secretary. 

3. Have stringent medical examinations of all new 
members. 

4. Keep the funds of the Court separate and dis- 
tinct from each other. 

5. Appoint thoroughly efficient officers and audi- 
tors. 

6. Invest all surplus funds profitably, safely and 
legally in the name of the Court. 



104 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

7. Have the Court incorporated or chartered. 

8. Keep the management expenses low. 

9. Have thorough and regular quarterly audits. 

10. File all documents, communications, bills, 
vouchers, receipts, memorandums, etc., and destroy 
none. 

11. Circulate, if funds permit of it, yearly printed 
balance sheets among the members of the Court. 

12. Pay direct sums for the rent of the Court room, 
and have written agreements therefor. 

13. Make all returns required regularly, promptly 
and correctly. 

14. Read the " lectures " frequently and impres- 
sively, they will be found entertaining and instructive. 

15. Read the reports and other documents issued 
by the Executive Council and District as soon as re- 
ceived. 

16. Do not borrow from one fund to make up de- 
ficiencies in another, assess the members pro-rata there- 
for, if necessary. 

17. Do not allow greater benefits to members than 
the contributions will sustain. 

18. Impress upon members the importance of 
being present at all meetings, to guard the interest of 
the Court, and zealously assist in its advancement. 

19. Adhere strictly to the laws and rules of the 
Order, and avoid strife and discord. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 105 

20. Have special rules relative to cases of insanity, 
blindness and paralysis, and exempt such cases from 
sick benefits. 

21. Keep the cash in the Treasurer's hands as low 
as possible, and within the amount of his bond. 

22. Transact the business of the Court in a busi- 
ness like manner, and avoid, as also discourage care- 
lessness, frivolity, levity and personalities during the 
sessions of the Court. 

23. Do not put a motion to vote which can be 
decided by law — for such an action the C. E. is liable 
to a fine. 

24. The C. E. should be impartial, yet firm while 
presiding. 

25. Never accept a motion to reconsider from one 
who voted in the negative, or was absent when the vote 
was taken. 

26. Do not put off for to-morrow, that which can 
be accomplished to-day. 

27. Do not accept office if you cannot attend to the 
duties, nor continue to retain an office when you can- 
not longer give proper attention thereto. 

DIRECTIONS FOR THE " DIRECTORY " RETURN SHEET. 

This return has to be made annually upon a form 
supplied by the Executive Council. In answering 
questions, the Secretary will be particular in using the 
words "yes" and "nil." The word "nil" to be used 



106 ANCIENT OKDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

instead of " no " or " none," for the sake of uniformity 
and because "none" may be construed for "nine," if 
not legibly written. 

Many of the questions propounded are simple and 
need no explanation, and for this reason we do not 
allude to them. 

The other questions are as follows : 

2. Is there a sanctuary of the Ancient Order of 
Shepherds (second degree) connected with the Court? 

(If there is a sanctuary of the same name and number 
as the Court in connection therewith, the answer will 
be "yes;" otherwise "nil." 

3. Has the Court graduated scales of contributions 
for new members initiated ? 

(By this is meant, does the Court charge new mem- 
bers with quarterly dues according to age — that is, say, 
eighteen years, $2.25; twenty-five years, $2.50, per 
quarter, and so on. If it does, then the answer will be 
" yes," if all members pay the same amount as quar- 
terly dues, then the answer will be "nil.") • 

4. Has the Court graduated scales of contributions 
for all members? 

(By this is meant, does the Court charge all its 
members quarterly dues according to age; if it does, 
the answer will be "yes." If, however, a uniform rate 
is charged as quarterly dues to all members, irrespec- 
tive of age, then the answer will be "nil.") 



ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 107 

5. Has the Court had its assets and liabilities val- 
ued by an actuary; if so, by whom and with what re- 
sult? 

(By "actuary" is meant one whose profession or 
business it is to make computations as to the amount, 
etc., members should pay according to age, etc., ior 
the benefits to be derived, as in the case of insurance 
companies, and who also places a value upon the 
moneys, securities, properties and Receipts of the Court 
as well as showing its approximate liabilities to its 
members for sick and death allowances. If the Court 
has not had this done, the answer- will be "nil/' If it 
has, then the answer will be "yes," and likewise giving 
the date, the name of the actuary and the result of his 
investigation. This question has no reference to an 
examination of the accounts by the auditors of the 
Court.) 

6. Does the Court pay superanuation or old age 
benefits under tables certified by an actuary ? 

(By this is meant, does the Court pay to its members 
who have attained " old age," and unable to work by 
reason thereof, a sum of money per week or month for 
life or for any lesser period, other than for sick benefits, 
and if so, has an "actuary" computed what amounts 
should be paid for such purposes. If the Court does 
not pay this commonly called " superanuated benefits," 
the answer to the question will, of course, be " nil," 
otherwise " yes.") 



108 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

7. Has the Court more than one class of benefits 
to which the members may contribute? 

(The answer to this question will be " yes, Mutual 
Endowment Fund.") 

21. Total number of benefit members on 31st De- 
cember, 18 — , (in figures.) 

(By "benefit" members is meant those members 
who pay dues for sick benefits. We have but two classes 
of members, " benefit and honorary," so that all but 
"honorary" members are included in this question. 
The answer will be according to the number of mem- 
bers (except honorary) on the books — not including of 
course, suspended members; for example, if there be 
twenty-five, say: "Twenty-five.") 

22. Average age of benefit members, etc., on 31st 
December, 18 — ? 

(In order to answer this question correctly, it will 
be necessary for the Secretary to take his roll of mem- 
bership, commencing with number one, and see when 
number one was initiated, and at what age; add to that 
the number of years since his initiation, and his 
present age is apparent; continue in this way down 
to the last member; then take the list so made out, and 
from that put down on another the number of mem- 
bers of each age ; for example : 

18 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 

31243521 
and so on. 



ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 109 

Then compute thus: 

3 at 18 equals 54 years. 

1 » 19 " 19 

2 " 20 '■ 40 

4 " 21 " 84 

3 " 22 " 66 

5 " 24 " 120 
2 " 26 " 52 
1 " 27 " 27 

Total members, 21. No. of years. 462. 
Divide 462 years by 21, the number of members, and 
it will give the average age of the members, viz. : 22 
years. Thus the answer will be "22.") 

23. Worth of all the Court funds ? 

(In answering this question, do not include any 
balance on hand, to the credit of the Endowment 
Fund; only give such as absolutely belong to the 
Court, viz.: Cash in bank, Treasurer's hands, etc., 
wheresoever the moneys may be. ) 

24. Number of days' sickness experienced by mem- 
bers of the Court from December 31st to December 
31st? 

(This can be answered by referring to any of the 
books showing sick benefits paid — usually the Sick and 
Funeral Fund account will disclose it — and extract 
therefrom the number of weeks sick benefit paid, thus: 
Brother A, one week; Brother B, three weeks; Brother 
C, two weeks; Brother D, one week, and so on; total 
the number of weeks, and reduce them to days; thus, 
seven weeks into days produces forty-nine days. The 



ICO 4H&EIEE: ORDER or foresters' manual. 

answer to the question will be "49;" (only members of 
the Court to be included in this. ) 

25. Number of benefit members initiated (not by 
clearance) by the Court from December Slst, to December 
31st ? 

(This will comprise the actual number of neaj mem- 
bers initiated in the ordinary way, and does not in- 
clude honorary or reinstated members, or members 
admitted by clearance; if only five have been initiated, 
the answer, of course, will be " 5.") 

26. Number of members died from December 31st 
to December 31st? 

V £3 .... 

/ (This means members of the Court only, and in- 
cludes honorary as well as benefit members.) 

27. Member or members who have permanently 
left the Court, through non-payment of contributions, 
etc.? 

(The answer to this will consist of the number of 
members who have (during the year) been precluded 
or stricken from the roll of membership for owing over 
twelve months' dues^and does not embrace members 
who have been suspended, and whose time to be rein- 
stated has not expired, nor members who hive been 
expelled for cause — that is, for wrongs done, or for any 
cause other than non-payment of dues. ) 

28. Number of honorary members in the Court on 
December 31st, 18—? 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. Ill 

(In answering this do not include benefit mem- 
bers of other Courts, upon whom the Court (making 
the return) has conferred the compliment of honorary 
membership — but only such as have by regular initia- 
tion joined the Court as "honorary " members.) 

29. Number of members belonging to other Courts 
who are paying their coutributions into the Court, 
etc.? 

(If any member or members of another Court are 
paying dues through the Court (making the return), 
the number so paying will constitute the answer. If 
there are none so paying, the answer will be, " nil.") 

30. Number of members' wives and widows died, 
etc.? 

(If the wife of any member, or the widow of any de- 
ceased member who has continued to pay contributions 
into the Court (see question 39), has died during the 
year; the number of such deaths will constitute the 
answer to this question; if there has not been any such 
deaths, then the answer will, of course, be "nil.") 

31. Number of wives of members eligible to funer- 
al benefits ? 

(As many members in good standing who have 
wives who are not prohibited from benefits by reason 
of sickness at the time of their husband's initiation in 
the Order, or by reason of sickness previously con- 
tracted, will constitute the answer; for example, if there 



112 ANCIENT ORDER OE FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

are twenty-one financial members who have wives, one 
of whom is not entitled to benefits, the answer will be 
"20.") 

37. Number of members in the Court to whom 
traveling licenses have been granted ? 

(As we do not in the United States grant traveling 
licenses, the answer to this question will be, "nil.") 

39. Number of members' widows contributing to 
the District Funeral Fund, etc.? 

(In some Districts a law exists, whereby a fund is 
provided, to which the widows of deceased members 
may contribute; in return for such contributions, the 
District pays, upon the death of such widow, a stipu- 
lated sum for the funeral expenses. If the Court 
(makiug the return) be out of District, or if, being in 
District, the District laws do not provide lor this fund, 
then the answer to the question will be " nil." If, how- 
ever, there is such a fund, and any of the widows of the 
Court's deceased members contribute thereto, the Sec- 
retary will answer the question by giving the number 
thereof.) 

40. Names and titles of those honorary members 
of the Court, who are members of the Senate or House 
of Representatives ? 

(This refers to United States Senators and Members 
of Congress. If the Court has any such members, the 
Secretary in answering the question will say " Honor- 
able" (giving name) United States Senator, or if a 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 113 

member of the House of Representatives, he will say: 
"Honorable (giving the name) M. C." (meaning mem- 
ber of Congress. ) If the Court has not any such mem- 
bers, the answer will be "nil.") 

41. Total number of benefit members in the Court, 
giving ages? 

(The suggestions offered under question 22 will en- 
able the Secretary to readily answer this (41st) ques- 
tion, without again computing the age of the members; 
he will then answer thus : 

18 19 20 21 22 

3 12 4 3 

and so on. 

In respect to the total number of members, the 
answer to this question must agree with that to ques- 
tion 21.) 

42. Number of members iDitiated, and ages ? 
(The answer to this question as to the total number, 

must agree with the answer to question 25. In answer- 
ing question 42, the ages of the newly initiated mem- 
bers must be given in the same manner as in the case 

of 41, thus: 

18 19 20 

2 12 

and so on. Do not include clearance members in this 
answer. ) 

43. Members' deaths and ages ? 



114 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

(The answer to this question in respect to the total, 
must agree with the answer to question 26. The ages 
in the answer to the present question (43) must be 
given as in answer to questions 41 and 42.) 

In making this return, the Secretary will bear in 
mind that the return embraces the period of one year, 
viz. : From the first day of January, to and including the 
31st of December in the same year. 

The Secretary should also ascertain from the Court 
the number of directories, cloth or paper bound, re- 
quired, and the number of miscellanies also, if any, as 
the order therefor should be given upon this return. 

ROLL OF MEMBERSHIP RETURN. 

"With the above return sheet the Executive Council 
usually forward a blue sheet, known as " roll of mem- 
bership of Court ," and calls for the following in- 
formation : 

Number, name in full, occupation, when admitted, 
whether by initiation or clearance, age at initiation, 
married or single, date of suspension (if suspended) 
cause of suspension, reinstated (if reinstated, the date 
thereof is given only). Remarks, (under this may be 
given any statement by way of explanation, such as 

"expelled for " (giving cause), or "deceased/* 

" withdrawn," and so on. ) 

This sheet must be filled up by inserting therein the 
name, etc. of each member entered upon the books of 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 115 

the Court at the date of the last " directory " return, 
adding thereto the names, etc. of each member admitted 
during the year, and filling up in respect to each of the 
whole list of members, the several blanks? with the in- 
formation as above called for. 

This " roll of membership " must be returned, to- 
gether with the " Directory " return sheet and the per 
capita tax, to the District Secretary, if the Court be in 
District, or to the Permanent Secretary of the Sub- 
sidiary High Court, if the Court be out of District, on 
or before the first day of February in each year, or the 
Court will be fined and suspended, as provided in 
Art. XIII, General Laws, of the Subsidiary High 
Court. By the provisions of Art. XIII, Courts out of 
District have fourteen days longer than those in Dis- 
trict to make their returns. But in the case of the pay- 
ment of the per capita tax, it is required by the first 
meeting in January. We think the spirit of the law 
will be complied with, by making the returns as sug- 
gested, on or before February first. 

FINANCIAL RETURN SHEET. 

This return is required to be made by the 36th (§ 2) 
General Law of the Order. Forms therefor are supplied, 
upon which the return has to be made, on or before 
the first day of May. Before inserting any item in this 
return, or giving any of the information called for, the 
Secretary should carefully read and study the form and 



116 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

the questions asked. He will obtain a clearer knowl- 
edge of the subject of the information sought. 

2. In respect to the Sick and Funeral Fund, the 
first question asked, is "entrance fees of new, clearance 
and reinstated members ? " 

If the Court by its By-Laws divide these receipts 
between the three funds, then the portion applied to the 
Sick and Funeral Fund will be the answer. If the 
whole amount goes to that fund, so insert; if none is 
credited to the fund or received by the Court, then 
simply draw a short stroke or dash, thus; . 

3. Contributions from own members for sick and 
funeral benefits ? 

(By own members is meant the Court's own mem- 
bers, as distinguished from those of other Courts, pay- 
ing their dues through the Court making the return. 
The portion of dues applicable and paid into this fund 
according to the By-Laws governing the division of 
funds, will be the answer to this question. ) 

4. Entrance fees and donations from honorary 
members ? 

(If none answer thus: " ," the entrance fees 

are usually divided the same as the initiation fees of 
regular members. "Donations" are usually applied 
or donated to the Benevolent Fund, though there 
may be donations to the other funds.) 

5. Funeral allowances repaid by the district ? 
(This refers to the amount paid by the District to 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 117 

the Court as funeral allowances upon the death of any 
of its members, or members' wives. These receipts 
should always appear in the Court books as received 
from the District, giving the date, and on whose ac- 
count they were paid, and when paid by the Court to 
the representatives of the member, or the member (in 
case of his wife's death), the date, to whom paid, and 
on whose account, should also be entered in the dis- 
bursements. ) 

6. Reduced sick allowance repaid by the District ? 
(In this country, this provision of the law does not 

seem to have been adopted by the Districts, and there- 
fore the answer will be .) 

7. Interest on money invested belonging to this 
fund ? (Sick and Funeral Fund.) 

(If there is on investment any of the moneys be- 
longing to this fund, either in bank or otherwise, sepa- 
rately from the moneys belonging to the other funds, 
the Secretary will here enter the amount of interest 
received. If, however, it be on investment with the 
moneys of the other funds, the Secretary will state the 
portion of the interest that was placed to the credit of 
this fund when the interest on moneys invested was 
divided among the funds. He will then foot up the 
receipts (the answers to the questions just given), to 
which he will add the balance on hand to the credit of 
this fund, on the beginning of the first day of January, 
of the year for which the returns are made, and then 
give the total amount. 



118 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Upon the expenditure side give the total of full sick 
benefits paid, then half benefits, then quarter (or other 

reduced amount of) sick benefits, using the dash, 

where none has been paid, carrying out in the 

right hand column the total sum paid for sick benefits, 
thus: 

Full pay, - - - $20.00 

Seduced (half) pay, - - 10.00 

Further reduced (quarter^pay, 5.00 

8. Total sick allowances, - $35.00 

9. The same suggestions will apply to the funeral 
allowances paid out. 

10. Levies to District, Funeral Fund, etc. Inas- 
much as the dues paid into the District are chiefly for 
the advantage of receiving the funeral allowances, the 
sum so paid should be charged to this (Sick and 
Funeral Fund), unless the Court By-Laws provide dif- 
ferently. If charged to this fund, then enter the amount 
paid to the District for dues. 

11. Levies to District Fund for reduced sick allow- 
ance ? 

(As we know of no such fund in the Districts in the 

United States, the blank will be filled out thus, 

. If, however, such does exist in any District, the 

amount paid should be inserted. Then foot up the 
total expenditure, $ .) 

12. Add thereto the total worth of, or balance in 
the fund (Sick and Funeral), on the 31st of December, 

:and the amount should agree with "receipts" side.) 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 119 

(B. ) MANAGEMENT FUND RECEIPTS. 

1. Entrance fees appropriated to this fund. 

(See suggestions to same question in Sick and Fu- 
neral Fund.) 

2. Contributions for management only. 

(See remarks to question 3 (ante) in Sick and Fu- 
neral Fund.) 

3. Donations or fees from honorary members. 
(See observations on like question in Sick and Fu- 
neral Fund.) 

4. Levies. 

(This refers to receipts for special assessments, or 
levies made by District for benevolent, relief or other 
purposes as distinguished from dues, to be collected 
from the members by the Court and by it paid into the 
District. If any such moneys have been received, the 
amount should be stated. ) 

5. Interest on moneys invested belonging to this 
fund. 

(See remarks upon question 7, in Sick and Funeral 
Fund.) 

6. Fines upon members for violation of rules. 

(If a separate account of fines is kept by the Court, 
the amount received (if any) should belong to this 
fund, and inserted under this item. If placed amongst 
the general receipts, the amount of fines should be sub- 
tracted and entered here, the. other receipts being re- 
duced accordingly.) 

7. Other receipts. 



120 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

(Here may be inserted the amount received for 
goods sold to members, etc., or any special receipts, 
giving full particulars thereof. ) 

14. Foot up and give the total income for this 
fund, to which add the total worth of the fund, or in 
■other words, the balance on hand in this fund, on the 
beginning of the first day of January of the same year 
as the returns are made for. 

22. Contributions for physician. (As contributions 
for physician are not received separately from Court 
dues, by Courts in the United States, the answer will 
be made thus: .) 

MANAGEMENT FUND EXPENDITURES. 

The only items which call for any suggestions are 
as follows: 

1. Levies to District Management Fund. 

2. Delegates to District meetings, or High Court 
meetings. 

3. Goods used by the Court for business purposes, 
«tc. 

4. Levies to High Court Relief Fund. 

5. Other payments. 

(In respect to the first item, if the District dues 
are divided, that is, if the Courts pay a specified sum as 
District dues to the Sick and Funeral, and also to the 
Management Fund, then the amount paid as District 
dues to the District Management Fund, should be here 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 121 

entered and charged; but if the District dues are in but 
one item, then it is properly charged to the Sick and 
Funeral Fund, as previously referred to in the Sick and 
Funeral Fund expenditure account. 

2. If amounts have been paid both to the District, 
as well as to the High Court delegate, then the amount 
paid each should be entered separately; if the High 
Court delegate only has been paid, then the words 
I District meetings or " should be stricken out. If the 
District delegate only has been paid, then strike out " or 
High Court meetings." 

3. Insert the full amount paid for goods for all 
purposes, from whomsoever purchased. 

4. It is customary with the High Court of the Or- 
der to make a yearly assessment upon members, in or- 
der to grant relief upon petitions presented to the 
High Court on behalf of distressed members, and the 
amount collected by the Courts for this purpose, and 
paid over, is entered here: Levies to High Court Belief 
Fund. But thus far the Subsidiary High Court has not 
adopted this measure; therefore, until it does, the 
answer should be given, thus . 

5. Here should be inserted the amount paid for 
Subsidiary High Court per capita tax, setting it forth 
fully, also other payments not specifically mentioned in 
the column (such as law expenses, insurance, etc). 

15. Total management expenses. When the total 
is entered add thereto, first (see next question). 



122 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

23. Salary of Physician (unless there is a separate 
fund therefor, such as " Medical Fund,") then add 

16. The total worth of the fund at the end of the 
year, viz. : December 31st, which is the balance on hand 
at that time; then give the total of the whole of the 
foregoing on the expenditure side, which should agree 
with the total given on the " receipts " side. 

(Note: The side numbers herein given to the ques- 
tions asked and explained correspond with the numbers 
given to the same questions asked in the return sheet. ) 

BENEVOLENT FUND. 

The several suggestions offered in respect to the 
Sick and Funeral and Management Fund, will enable 
the Secretary to comprehend the particulars required 
for this fund; as repetition would serve no purpose, we 
refer the Secretary to those suggestions. 

MEDICAL AID FUND. 

If any Court has a distinct fund under the above 
heading of receipts, contributions of its members, and 
of the disbursements therein made, the several items 
should be entered in the return (reference in that case, 
to previous suggestions, will assist the Secretary), 
otherwise a dash ( — ) or -f- will be used to fill the blank 
spaces. 

WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND. 

This fund is not established in the United States. 
We have the Endowment Fund, which takes its place, 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 123 

but as this is a different matter than what the return 
calls for. Mark the blank space thus: "-]-." 

BALANCE SHEET. 

The questions to be answered under this heading 
being very simple, we deem directions or suggestions 
wholly unnecessary. 

This return sheet when filled up, must be verified 
by the signatures of the C. E. and Secretary. The C. K. 
should, before signing, examine it, compare it with the 
books, and satisfy himself in respect to its accuracy. 



124 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



SUBSIDIAKY HIGH COURT COMMITTEES, AND 
THEIR DUTIES. 

COMMITTEES ON CREDENTIALS AND RETURNS. 

It is customary for the S. H. C. R. to appoint this 
committee (consisting of three delegates, the same num- 
ber as appointed upon all the committees under this 
heading. Art. Y, § 2.) previous to the opening of the 
Subsidiary High Court, and at its place of meeting. 

The duty of this committee is to receive from the 
S. H. C. R. as soon as the time has expired for the re- 
ceipt of credentials, viz. : Twelve o'clock, noon, on the 
first day of meeting, the credentials presented, and at 
once proceed to the examination thereof, approving the 
same, if found to be correct; prepare a list of such cre- 
dentials, giving the name and number (in numerical or- 
der) of each Court from which delegates have handed 
in credentials, with the name and title of each delegate 
opposite and in lhie with the name and number of the 
Court whereof he is delegate. 

Also stating whether the delegate has written au- 
thorization> duly signed and sealed, from one or more 
Courts other than his own, entitling him as a compli- 
mentary representative of such other Court or Courts, 
giving their name and number. 

Representation of a Court by a delegate from an- 
other Court does not entitle the delegate to a vote for 
the Court for which he only acts as representative. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 125 

The purpose of representation being to express the 
views of the Court for which he acts as representative, 
during his participation in the debates as the delegate 
from his own Court. 

It must be remembered, however, that the delegate 
of one^ Court also acting as representative of another 
Court, is only entitled to the same privileges and vote 
as delegates from other Courts, who do not act as 
complimentary representatives, and they are not al- 
lowed to speak longer or oftener than other delegates. 

If any of the credentials be found to be incorrect, 
the committee will report for the action of the Subsidi- 
ary High Court. 

Having concluded their labors, the committee will 
sign and deliver their report forthwith to the S. H. C. E. 
to be read by the Permanent Secretary. 

COMMITTEE ON LAWS AND SUPERVISION. 

This committee is appointed, and the chairman 
named by the S. H. C. R., ten days previous to the 
assembling of the Subsidiary High Court meeting. 
The chairman to be immediately notified of the names 
and addresses of the committee, and he shall at once 
notify his colleagues of the time and place of meeting 
of the committee, which must be held three days pre- 
vious to the Subsidiary High Court assembling, and 
the place of meeting to be in the vicinity of the Sub- 
sidiary High Court. 



126 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

The committee to be supplied by the Executive 
Council with the manuscripts offering amendments to 
the General Laws, also with copies of the July quarterly 
report, and General Laws required by the committee. 

The committee will hold secret sessions, and con- 
sider the proposed amendments in the order given in 
the quarterly report; they will approve, amend, recon- 
struct or reject any and all of the proposed additions, 
alterations, amendments, recommendations and sug- 
gestions contained in the quarterly report, and also 
make such further recommendations as in their judg- 
ment may be conducive to the interest and advantage 
of the Order. 

They will prepare and present their report in writ- 
ing to the Subsidiary High Court meeting, to be read 
by the chairman of the committee. 

The report should be made in sections, numbered 
consecutively (1, 2, 3, etc.), referring to each proposed 
amendment, addition, etc., separately followed by their 
recommendation thereon. The numbers will enable the 
Secretary of the Subsidiary High Court meeting to 
clearly note the action of the meeting in reference to 
each section. 

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. 

This committee will examine the Auditors' reports, 
see that they have been properly prepared, and make a 
summary of the Subsidiary High Court receipts and 
expenses; give a statement of the financial condition of 



ANCIENT OBDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 127 

the Subsidiary High Court; certify as to the manner in 
which the books and accounts have been kept. They 
will recommend the amount of the per capita tax for 
the ensuing year. They will also report in reference to 
the judicious expenditures of the funds, and upon other 
matters relating to the finances, which in their judg- 
ment should be acted upon. 

COMMITTEE ON WRITTEN WORK, 

This committee will consider and report upon all 
matters offered or suggested in reference to the written 
work of the Order, which may be referred to them by 
the Subsidiary High Court meeting; suggesting and rec- 
ommending any alteration which they may deem de- 
sirable. 

COMMITTEE ON UNWRITTEN WORK. 

The duty of this committee is to report upon all 
matters offered or suggested in reference to the unwrit- 
ten work of the Order which may be referred to them 
by the Subsidiary High Court, suggesting and recom- 
mending ,any alteration which they may deem neces- 
sary. 

COMMITTEE ON PRINTING.| 

This committee will verify, approve or disapprove 
of the estimates furnished and amounts paid for the 
printing done and required by the Executive Council 
and Subsidiary High Court. 



128 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

COMMITTEE ON STATE OF THE ORDER. 

This committee will prepare and present a state- 
ment, showing the number of Courts, Distrcts and 
members in good standing, the number of new Courts 
opened, number of Courts, Districts and members sus- 
pended, precluded, expelled, reinstated and amalga- 
mated. The statement also to show the increase or 
decrease of membership. They will likewise make any 
recommendations deemed advisable for the advance- 
ment and increase of the Order. 

COMMITTEE ON MILEAGE AND PER DIEM. 

This committee will recommend the sum per mile 
and per day to be paid the three members of the Exec- 
utive Council, and Permanent Secretary for traveling 
to and from the Subsidiary High Court meeting, and 
for their attendance during the meeting, and also the 
compensation per day, "to be paid to the Committee on 
Laws and Supervision, giving the total amount required 
for the above purposes. 

SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 

Committee on Goods and Effects. The duty of this 
committee is to prepare and present an inventory of 
the goods and effects of the Subsidiary High Court, 
with the cost and selling values thereof, counting and 
examining each article. 

The committee will also take the preceding annual 
inventory, add thereto the purchases made since the 



ANCIENT OBDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 129 

last Subsidiary High Court meeting, and then deduct 
the articles sold or disposed of; the balance should 
agree with the inventory to be presented to the Subsid- 
iary High Court meeting. 

A separate statement of any errors or deficiencies 
should also be presented. 

The committee will make any recommendations they 
deem advisable, in reference to the purchase, sale, price 
and disposition of goods. 

Committee on Nominations. This committee will en. 
quire into the eligibility and qualifications of the nomi- 
nees for the ensuing Subsidiary High Court officers, 
Auditors and Trustees. 

It is customary for the S. H. C. R. to appoint these 
commitlees (excepting the two first named) immedi- 
ately after opening of the Subsidiary High Court, and 
the acceptance of the credentials. 

The committees should perform their labors dur- 
ing the recess in the sessions of the meeting, and in the 
evenings, so as to enable the delegates upon the com- 
mittees to participate in, and vote during the meeting. 

It is, however, customary, after the appointment of 
these committees, for the Subsidiary High Court to ad- 
journ until the following morning, to enable the com- 
mittees to prepare and complete their reports. 

It is desirable that a list containing the names of 
. each committee, with the time and place of meeting be 
prepared and placed in the Subsidiary High Court 
meeting room. 



130 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 
BOOK8 AND ACCOUNTS. 

The following system of accounts we consider are 
simple and easily understood: 

To those unfamiliar with keeping books, the sys- 
tem as shown in its entirety may, at a glance, appear 
to require considerable study; but upon a closer exam- 
ination we believe it will be found, as we have said, 
simple and readily understood. 

Examples are given of every entry that a Secretary 
will most likely have to make, and includes such en- 
tries as are apt to create a doubt as to how they should 
be entered in the books of a Court. 

Many of the items a Secretary will be seldom re- 
quired to make; but when the occasion does arise, he 
has only to refer to the guide or example that is given. 

We are confident that the plan we have given will 
prove a source of pleasure to any member who acts as 
Secretary of a Court, by reason of its easy accomplish- 
ment and the satisfaction that ensues and arises from 
a knowledge that a person has performed a service 
thoroughly and complete. 

The best procedure for any one examining these 
accounts is to select any entry, or begin with the first 
entry and assume that the same transaction occurs in 
their own Court, and then follow the further use or en- 
try of the same item that is made in the other books. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 131 
BOOKS REQUIRED. 

1, Minute book; 2, Assistant Secretary's cash book 
or blotter; 3, Secretary's cash book; 4, Ledger; 5, 
Treasurer's warrant book; 6, Secretary's warrant book; 
7, Member's roll book; 8, Proposition book; 9, En- 
dowment ledger ; 10, Audit book. 

The outward size of all the books, in length and 
breadth, should be uniform to facilitate the handling 
of them and to make a compact form. The size and 
form of each book is given hereafter. 

The Secretary should be particular in giving dates in 
all his books, and see that the year in which the dates 
occur is given above the dates as shown in the examples. 

MINUTE BOOK. 

The minute book should have a ruled margin on 
left side, as shown below,* for reference notes. Second. 
A blank line should intervene or separate each distinct 
minute or proposition recorded. Third. Each audit 
report should be copied in the minute book under the 
date of the meeting at which it was read, unless a sep- 
arate blank book is kept for recording all the audit ac- 
counts as they are regularly made. 

Either one of these two propositions should be car- 
ried out without fail, as it affords an easy reference, and 
it obviates the possibility of loss or of the audit account 
being misplaced at a time when the audit report is 
needed. 



132 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



Fined for absence. 



♦Minutes of regular 
and special meet- 
ings confirmed. 



FORM OF RECORDING MINUTES. 

New York, Jan. 1, 1880. 
The 100th regular meeting of Court Robin 
Hood, No. 10,000, was held on the above date, 
at its rooms, No. 200 Main Street. 

Officers Present. 
Wm. Williams, C. K., presiding, 
John Johnstone, acting S. C. R., 
Thomas Thomas, Treasurer, 
Andrew Andrews, Secretary. 
The Woodwards, Beadles, Trustees and Phy- 
sician to follow in consecutive order in the 
same form of entry as given for four first offi- 
cers. 

Officers Absent. 

John Smith, S. C. R. 

The C. R, directed that Brother J. Smith be 
fined twenty-five cents for absence without ex- 
cuse. 

The minutes of the previous regular and 

special meetings held December 15th and 22nd 

were read and confirmed. 

Visitors. 

Brother Thos. Brown, D. C. R., and Brother 
J. Williams, District Secretary being present, 
the C. R. invited them to seats on the dias. 

Sick and Distressed. 
The Woodwards reported having visited 
Brother S. Ji>mes on four occasions since last 
meeting, and that he was improving in health. 
The C. R. and S. C. R. also reported having 
visited Brother James. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



133 



Notice of endow- 
ment assess- 
ment, No. 100. 



Notice of District 
to pay quarterly 
dues. 



From Court Goo 
Intent. 



From Court Little 
John. 



(If no sickness or distress is reported, 
the Secretary will simply note under the 
above heading "none reported.") 

Communications. 

A communication from the Executive Coun- 
cil was read, notifying the Court of the death 
of Brother W. Henry of Court Concord, No. 
5,500, of New Orleans, La. Date of death, 
December 20th, 1879; cause, pneumonia; No. 
of certificate 4, 000; No. of assessment 100. The 
Secretary stated the notice was received on 
December 23rd, and the members of the Court 
belonging to the Endowment Fund were no- 
tified on the 24th of the assessments due. The 
C. R. ordered the communication received and 
placed on file. 

A communication from the District notify- 
ing the Court to pay January quarterly dues 
on January 25th, at the residence of the Dis- 
trict Secretary, between 8 and 10 o'clock P. M. 

The communication was ordered on file, and 
the Secretary requested to draw warrant for 
amount of dues, and the Treasurer ordered to 
pay the same. 

A request from Court Good Intent, No. 6,000, 
was read, asking permission to initiate John 
Slocum a precluded member of this Court. 
The C. R. ordered the communication to be 
received and laid over until new business. 

A communication from Court Little John, 
No. 9,000, New York City was read, notifying 
this Court of the acceptance of the clearance 
granted to Brother S. Thompson. 



134 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



Report of commit- 
tee on Mr. Jones. 



Mr. Jones balloted 
lor ami elected 

to membership. 



Initiation of Mr. 
Edward Jones. 



Proposition of Jas. 
Simpson. 



Committee on Jas. 
Simpson. 



Fine remitted. 



Reports of Committees on Candidates. 

Brothers (giving names), Committee of In- 
vestigation on Application of Edward Jones 
for membership reported favorably. 

M. and S. That the report be received, can- 
didate balloted for, and committee discharged* 
Carried. 

Balloting for Candidates. 

The medical certificate for Mr. Jones being 
present and approving him physically, he was 
thereupon balloted for. The ballot being clear, 
he was declared duly elected to membership 
in this Court and Order. 

Initiation of Candidates. 
Mr. Edward Jones being in attendance to 
become a member of this Court, was duly in- 
itiated asabenefit member. 

Proposition of Candidates. 

Brothers W. Williams and Henry Smith pro- 
posed Mr. James Simpson for membership. 
The proposition fee and form being received 
and signed, a vote was taken to receive the 
same, and being favorable, Brothers H. Brown, 
J. S. Johnson and W. Henry were apppointed 
as Committee of Investigation. 

Roll Call of Officers Absent from Previous 
Meeting, 

Brother H. Lamb, S. B., stated that he was 
unable to be present at the previous meeting of 
the Court on account of sudden and serious 
illness in his family. The C. B. declared the 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



135 



Electiorf^of dele- 
gate to Subsidi- 
| ary High Court. 



Amen dment to 
Court By-Laws. 



excuse satisfactory and ordered the fine of 
twenty-five cents imposed December 15th re- 
mitted. 

New Business. 

It was M. and S., and adopted that the Court 
send a delegate to the Subsidiary High Court 
meeting, to be held in New York city, in August 
next. 

Brothers H. Wilson, J. Brown and W. Smith 
were nominated as delegates. The ballot re- 
sulted as follows: H. Wilson, 40; J. Brown, 
30; W. Smith, 20. Brother Wilson was de- 
clared elected as delegate. 

Upon motion, it was resolved that Art. X, § 
X of the Court By-Laws be amended as follows: 
The Treasurer shall, at every meeting, give a 
statement of the total income he has received, 
and the expenses defrayed since the previous 
meeting, announcing the balance he holds in 
hand. 

The amendment was ordered to lay over un- 
til next meeting for a second reading. 

Receipts of the Evening. 
(For names of persons and amounts paid, see 
cash book.) 

Endowment dues, $4.00 
Court dues, 19.50 

Bank interest, 10.00 

Sundries, 67.75 



$101.25 



Endowment fund acccount, $13.00 
Sundries, _ - - - 40.00 

$53.00 



136 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 



(The above summary of amounts are 
easily selected from the cash book. The 
items as they appear in the cash book 
should also be read to the Court.) 

The Treasurer reported fifty dollars in hand 
previous to this evening's receipts. 

The Court closed in peace and harmony at 
o'clock P. M. 

Kespectfully submitted, 

Andrew Andeews, 
Attested : Secretary. 

Wm. Williams, C. K. 

OTHER ENTRIES IN MINUTE BOOK. 

The Secretary should reserve pages at the end of 
the minute book for the following entries: Suspended 
members, precluded members, expelled members, clear- 
ance members admitted, members granted clearances, 
reinstated members, members died, members' wives 
died. 

The Secretary will use his own judgment as to how 
many pages he will reserve for each of the above head- 
ings. For instance, say three pages for the suspended 
members, two pages for precluded members, one page 
each for expelled members, clearance members ad- 
mitted, members granted clearances, etc. 

In entering members' names under the various 
headings above mentioned, the date of the month and 
the year should always be given. Under the heading 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 137 

' expelled members," besides giving the date, the cause 
of expulsion should be stated after the name is written. 
Under the heading " clearance members admitted," in 
addition to the date of acceptance and members' name 
the entry should state the name, number and loca- 
tion of the Court granting the clearance that has been 
accepted. One, two or three lines should be used, if 
necessary, to include this information. Under the 
heading " members granted clearances," a blank line 
should be left after each entry for noting the name, 
number and location of the Court accepting the same 
and the date accepted. The entries under the various 
headings are to be made by the Secretary when he is 
writing up the minutes of each Court meeting. The 
minutes in recording the business of the court will con- 
tain some reference to the entries that will have to be 
made under the headings mentioned; and when they 
do, the Secretary should at once make the required 
entry under the proper heading. Example from min- 
ute book: 

A communication from Court Little John, No. 9,000, New 
York City, N. Y., was read, notifying this Court of the acceptance 
of the clearance granted Brother S. Thompson. 

The above minute furnishes the Secretary the ne- 
cessary information to be entered under the heading, 
" members granted clearances," and in the blank line 
that was reserved after the entry of Brother Thompson's 
name, at the time he was granted his clearance. 



138 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

The value of the entries under these various head- 
ings is, that they furnish a summary of important trans- 
actors of the Court, and which at the end of the year 
will giTe the necessary information required for the 
directory of the Order, besides furnishing a ready re- 
ference for the Secretary or the Court in case any in- 
formation is required, such as is given under the head- 
ings, and which is very often called for. 

On the first front fly leaf of the minute book an in- 
dex should be made, referring to the entry of these 
headings, and giving the page on which they are en- 
tered, as follows: 

Suspended members, page 300 

ided " " 304 

Expelled " " 305 

Amendments to By-Laws, 306 

The entries under the headings will be made thus: 

Snpended Members. 

1879. 
Jan. 3.— H. Carrington, 

April 5. — J. Bingham, 
July 2. — H. Forney, 
Oct. 4.— W. Slatington. 

Precluded Member?. 

1879. 
July 2. — H. Carrington, 
Oct. 4. — J. Bingham. 

Expelled Members. 
1879. 
April 5.— S. Trow, for misconduct, see minute book, April 5, 1879. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 139 

Clearance Members Admitted. 
1879. 

July 2. — J. Sampson, Court Maid Marion, No. 8000, Glasgow, 
Scotland. 

Members Granted Clearance. 
1879. 
Jan. 3. — S. Thompson. 

Accepted March 10, 1879, by Court Little John, No. 
9,000, New York City, N. Y. 

Members Died. 
1879. 
Dec. 4. — J. Harrison, aged 40 years. 

By the above entries it will be readily seen that 
during the year there were four members suspended, 
two precluded, one expelled, one clearance accepted, 
one clearance granted and one member died. 

"When a Secretary is writing up his minutes, he 
should always have this thought in mind, or, in other 
words, ask himself, " is there anything in the minutes 
that I have got to enter or record elsewhere?" 

The minutes may contain the notice of the death of 
a member of the Court; if so, he will make an entry of 
it under the heading "members died;" or a clearance 
may have been granted; if so, he will enter it under 
the heading "clearances granted;" or a member may 
have been fined; if so, he will charge the member the 
amount in the member's ledger account; or if a fine 
has been remitted, he will credit the amount in the 
member's ledger account. 



140 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

When the minutes are finished, the Secretary should 
make a memorandum in duplicate, same as the follow- 
ing one, for the use of the C. R, and one for his own 
use to avoid delay and oversight in transacting the bus- 
iness of the Court. 

MEMORANDUM. 

Committees on Candidates. 

(Give name of candidates and the names of the committees.) 

Other Committees. 

Audit Committe (give names), 
Committee on Kent of hall (give names), 
Committee on Entertainment (give names). 

Unfinished Business. 
Amendment to Art. X, § 1, By-Laws. 

New Business. 
Kead list of members to be suspended. 
Arbitration Committee to be appointed. 

(Also, under this heading, insert any new business 
that will be brought up for the consideration of the 
Court, and of which the Secretary may have been ad- 
vised since the last meeting.) 

These memorandums will serve to aid the C. R. and 
Secretary in supervising or looking after the interests 
of the Court between the meetings. 

CASH BOOK. 

This book should contain on the left or Dr. (debit) 
side, all the receipts, and on the right or Cr. (credit) 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 141 

side, all the disbursements; insert headings, "cash re- 
ceipts," and " cash expenditures." In cases where 
members' dues are donated from the Beneyolent Fund, 
a Treasurer's warrant should be drawn for the amount, 
and by him paid to the Secretary for the member, — 
the Secretary crediting in the cash receipts the amount 
he receives for the member, and charging the Benevo- 
lent Fund in expenditure account the amount donated 
as per warrant drawn. The purpose of this is to have 
the cash show the disbursement for benevolence, and 
the amount to appear in the Benevolent Fund in the 
ledger, when it is posted or transferred from the cash 
book. 

The Treasurer's warrant is suggested to be drawn, 
for the reason that every expense of the Court should ap- 
pear in the Treasurer's warrant book, as these warrants 
or the stubs will serve as a sure record for the Secre- 
tary, of the expenses to be entered in the cash book. 

The expenditure entries could be made from the 
stubs of the warrant book, when the Secretary arrives 
home, using his earliest convenience to do so. 

CASH RECEIPT ENTRIES. 

The cash receipts, however, should be entered at the 
moment they are received, and no receipts should be 
given until the name and amount is first entered in the 
cash book, and the receipts should be copied from the 
entry in the cash book. 



142 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

It does not matter how good or indifferent the hand- 
writing may be in the cash entries, provided they can 
be read; the most important consideration is to have the 
entry made at once, and completed. 

When the Secretary is paid moneys in the intervals 
between meetings he should follow the same procedure, 
and should enter the date when he receives the money, 
no matter what the date is. This mode of payment, 
however, should not be encouraged. 

The amounts received between Court meetings, 
could be added and divided among the funds, and the 
total carried out into the total column, on the day of, 
and before the Secretary attends Court meeting, or 
they could be added up with the amounts received at 
the following meeting, and be divided, altogether and 
at once. (See example cash book, March 1, 2, 3, 4.) 

FIRST COLUMN OF CASH BOOK ENDOWMENT DUES. 

The first column in the cash receipts should contain, 
to begin with, the total amount in this fund when the 
book is first opened, and afterwards contain the total 
amount or balance in the fund at the beginning of each 
quarter. 

All moneys received for Endowment dues, are also 
entered in the first column of the cash book. 

SECOND COLUMN OF CASH BOOK COURT DUES, ETC. 

All other moneys received should be entered in the 
second column of cash book, except any amounts that, 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 143 

for special reasons, are to be placed wholly to the credit 
of any one fand; such as a proposition fee, if given 
wholly to Management Fand, or when a donation is 
made to the Benevolent Fund. In such cases, the 
amount is to be carried out direct to the third column. 
When the amount received at each meeting that is 
entered in the second column, is added up, the total 
should be carried into the third column. (See cash 
book, ^January 1st, $29.50.) This amount is then 
divided into the different funds, and should Jbe divided 
by a percentage rule (see rule given), the percentage 
to be credited to each fund being determined by the 
By-Laws of the Court. The amounts divided should 
first appear in the cash book, and are afterward trans- 
ferred to the fund they belong to, in the ledger. The 
Secretary should first ascertain on a memorandum 
paper, how much is to go to each fund, and prove it 
(same as shown in cash book), before he enters it on 
the cash book.? £ SSI 

§H THIRD COLUMN OF CASH BOOK TOTALS AND SUNDRIES. 

-:The third column in the cash receipts should con- 
tain, to begin with, the amount on hand when the book 
is first opened, and afterwards, contain the amount on 
hand at the beginning of each quarter. It should also 
contain the total amount of Court dues received at each 
meeting, after they have been added up in the second 
column. (See example.) It should likewise contain 



144 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

any amounts that are specially and wholly to go to the 
credit of any one of the funds. (See cash book January 
1st, items: $1, $16.75, $50, which are afterwards trans- 
ferred to the funds they belong, in the ledger.) 

By following the above rules, which are very simple 
and concise, it will be observed, as shown in the exam- 
ples: 

First: — That the first column (Endowment dues, 
etc.) contains the amount, or balance on hand to the 
credit of the Endowment Fund at the beginning of 
each quarter, and also all the amounts subsequently 
received for Endowment dues, etc., during" the quarter. 

Second: — The second column (Court dues, etc.) con- 
tains all moneys received during the quarter for dues, 
etc., that are to be divided among the funds. 

Third: — That the third column (totals and sundries) 
contains, first, the total amount, or balance of Court 
Funds (except Endowment Fund) on hand at the begin- 
ning of the quarter; second, it contains the totals 
(transferred from second to third column) of all mon- 
eys entered in the second column, and received during 
the quarter; third, it contains all other sundry items of 
moneys received during the quarter (always excepting 
Endowment dues, etc., which are entered and kept ex- 
clusively and entirely in the first column, as mentioned 
above). 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 145 

CASH EXPENDITURE ENTRIES. 

First Column. 
The first (Endowment expenditures) column should 
contain all Endowment Fund expenditures. 

Second Column. 

The second column (all Court expenditures) should 
contain all expenses of the Court. 

When the entries are made, they should state to 
whom paid, and for what purpose, and up to what 
date. The entries so made will indicate to what Fund 
the item is to be posted in the ledger; if there should 
be a doubt as to what fund it should be charged and 
posted to, or in other words transferred to, in the Led- 
ger, the Secretary could indicate it by adding to the 
entry, M. F., or S. and F. F., or B. F., thus: John 
Thomas, M. D., services three months, to January 1st, 
1880— S. and F. F. or M. F., whichever fund pays for 
the Physician's services. 

If one line is not sufficient to make an entry full 
and complete, the Secretary can use two or more lines; 
the amount to be carried out opposite the last line 
used. (See example.) 

Third Column. 

The third column (totals) should contain the total 
expenditure of each meeting, added up in the second 
column, and transferred, or entered in the third col- 



146 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

unm at the end of each meeting. The total should not 
be entered in the second column, but should be entered 
or written, only once, and then in the third column. 
(The same rule applies to second column in cash 
receipts. ) 

At the end of the quarter, when the second and 
third columns of the cash expenditures are added up, 
they will balance; or in other words, agree with each 
other; the second column showing all the items paid at 
each meeting during the quarter, and the third column 
showing the total expenditure of each meeting, and 
finally, the total during the quarter (excepting the En- 
dowment account, which is given in the first column). 

At the end of the quarter, when the total is added in 
the third column and entered, underneath this entry or 
total, will have to be entered the amount on hand, 
meaning the amount in bank and in Treasurer's hands, 
or wherever it is. (See example.) By adding the 
amount of the total expenditures with the amount on 
hand, will give a sum in this third column equal to (or 
the same as) the total sum at the end of the quarter, to 
be found in the third column of the cash receipts, or left 
hand side of cash book. This is termed balancing the 
cash account, or balancing the book. 

The amount on hand at tbe end of the quarter, and 
entered at the end of the total expenditures, is also to 
be entered in the third column, on the cash receipts side 
of the book, at the commencement of the nevi quarter; 



ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 147 

that is, first it is entered on right hand side of book, 
and afterwards on left hand side (two entrys). 

The first, or Endowment Fund columns, are to be 
balanced in the same way; that is, the first column in 
the cash receipts, shows amount received for Endow- 
ment dues, etc., during the quarter, and also the amount 
on hand (if any) at the beginning of the quarter. 

The first column in the cash expenditures shows the 
amount of Endowment expenditures. If receipts at 
end of quarter, including the balance on hand at the 
beginning of the quarter, make a total of $100, and the 
expenditures were $90, after the totals were added and 
entered, the difference between $100 and $90, viz. : $10, 
would first be added to the $90 expended, to balance 
the total of $100 in the first column in the cash 
receipts, and should immediately be entered again, but 
this time in the first column in cash receipts, at the 
commencement of the new quarter's account. The en- 
try in both instances, should read " amount to credit of 
fund, iu hand of Treasurer, $10," or " amount to credit 
of fund, in bank, $10," as the case may be; they should 
also be entered in red ink. 

COURT LEDGER ENTRIES. 

The ledger should contain principally: 
First: — An account with each member, including 
members of other Courts, who pay their dues through 
a Court to which they do not belong, as sometimes 
occurs. 



148 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

Second: — An account with each fund. 

Third: — An account of "propositions" received. 

The above are the necessary accounts to be kept in 
the Court ledger. 

The members' accounts should be headed with the 
member's name, date when initiated, if admitted by 
clearance, state, clearance member (for these and other 
particulars, see roll book). Their entry here in the 
ledger is suggested for ready reference, and the conve- 
nience of the Secretary. The member's address could 
also be entered here with lead pencil, to be erased when 
address is changed, and new entry made with pencil. 
The Secretary will then have the member's name and 
address before him, when making out quarterly dues. 

The charges and credits to a member can be kept 
in the form suggested in the example of ledger account 
herewith given. This form, we think, is the simplest 
for Secretaries to keep and Auditors to understand, 
and always shows at any moment, just how a member's 
account stands. If he owes anything, just how much 
he does owe. 

The Secretary or Court, if so desired, can open the 
following additional accounts in the ledger, for the pur- 
pose of showing a complete summary, under each head- 
ing, of the dealings and transactions of the Court. 

GOODS ACCOUNT. 

Showing goods bought and sold, and amounts paid 
and received therefor. 



ANCIENT OKDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 149^ 

The saleable goods bought should only be entered 
in this account. Goods that are purchased for presen- 
tation should not be entered in this account. 

The first entry on the left, or Dr. side should be: 
Goods on hand per Auditor's statement a (reference to 
the Auditor's statement will show how many of each 
article there was on hand). 

The next or following entries should specify the 
dates, and how many of each article of goods have been 
bought, and the cost of same. (See ledger account.) 

On the right, or Cr. side, the entries should show 
the dates, what articles were sold, and the amount re- 
ceived for same. (See ledger account.) 

The entries (on the Dr. side) of goods bought, are 
made direct in the ledger from the bill of goods received, 
and if no bill is rendered, then the entries are made 
when the goods are received by the Secretary. These 
entries are a record or memorandum of the goods re- 
ceived, and the " goods account " is the place to keep 
the memorandum. 

When goods are paid for by the Court, the amount 
paid is entered in the cash book, but is not transferred 
to the " goods account " in the ledger, but is transferred 
either to Subsidiary High Court or District account in 
the ledger, whichever it is paid to. Another reason 
why the amount is not transferred to the goods account 
is, that sometimes only a part of a bill of goods is paid, 
and perhaps a week or two after they have been 



150 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

received. This would prevent the goods account show- 
ing all the goods received and might confuse one audit 
term account with another. 

DISTRICT COURT ACCOUNT. 

On the left, or Dr. side of this account, all amounts 
paid to the District are entered, being transferred from 
the entries in the cash book. The items should 
specify the date and amount, and what paid for. On 
this Dr. side, the District should also be charged for 
any funeral benefits due the Court, such entries being 
made direct in this ledger account, unless it is custom- 
ary for the Court to advance the funeral allowance and 
afterwards collect it from the District. In this case, 
the amount would appear in the cash as paid, and 
should be posted from the cash account to District ac- 
count in the Ledger. (See example.) When the Dis- 
trict repays the amount, it is entered in the cash re- 
ceipts and afterwards is transferred to the right, or Cr. 
side of the District Court account, and balances the 
charge that has been previously entered on the left or 
Dr. side. 

The right, or Cr. side of the District account is to 
be credited by direct entry by the Secretary, with 
amount payable for dues or assessments, and is also to 
be so credited for goods received. These entries are 
necessary to balance the amounts paid to the District 
for dues and goods, and which has been transferred 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 151 

from the cash book to the left, or Dr. side, in the Dis- 
trict account in the ledger. (See ledger account exam- 
ples.) 

SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT ACCOUNT. 

The same rules for District Court account entries 
applies to the entries for Subsidiary High Court ac- 
count. 

DONATIONS. 

Showing dates and amounts for benevolence, and 
to whom paid. 

SICK BENEFITS PAID. 

This account should simply show the dates, to 
whom paid, number sick days paid for, and the 
amounts. These entries are transferred from the cash 
book. (See ledger examples.) This account will fur- 
nish an easy reference for items and amounts, in 
making returns for the directory. 

THE FUND ACCOUNTS. 

The entries in the fund accounts in the ledger, are 
all transferred/rom the cash book. The form adopted is 
to credit each fund with the amounts received, and to 
debit them with the amounts paid out. This form is 
best understood by a majority of Secretaries and Aud- 
itors, and for that reason it is used. 

ACCOUNTS WITH OTHER COURTS. 

When the dues of a member of another Court are 
received and his sick benefits paid, an account should 



152 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

be opened in the ledger with his Court; the heading 
giving the name, number, location of the Court, and 
Secretary's address. The amounts received as dues 
from the member is to be credited to his account in the 
ledger (which should be kept same as the account of a 
regular member of the Court), and is also to be cred- 
ited to the account of his Court in the ledger, because it 
has to be remitted to his Court, and when they are re- 
mitted, then the amount is to be charged to the account 
of the Court that receives it. If sick benefits are paid 
to the member, then the amount is to be charged to his 
Court, and when they refund the amount, their account 
is to be credited. These entries will first appear in the 
cash account, and are afterwards transferred to the 
ledger. (See other accounts mentioned under heading 
*' minute book.") 

It will be remembered that the items of the above 
accounts will all be found under the headings of the 
different funds. For example, the sick benefits paid 
will be found under the head of " Sick and Funeral 
Fund;" but they will be among the amounts paid for 
funeral allowances, and for Physician, Apothecary, etc., 
whereas, if the account, " sick benefits paid " is kept, 
the Secretary and Court can readily tell at the end of 
the year, how much has been paid for " sick benefits," 
or at the end of five years, by reference to this account 
it would be an easy matter to tell how much had been 
paid by the Court for " sick benefits," instead of having 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



153 



to select the items out of the Sick and Funeral Fund 
account from among various other items, for five yeai.3 
back. 

All receipts divided among the funds go to the 
credit (right hand side) of the funds, and expenditures 
are debited to the fund (left hand side). 

Most all the entries to be made in the ledger will be 
found in the cash book, and are transferred from the 
cash book to the ledger, except when members are 
charged for dues or assessments; then the first and 
only entry need be to the member's account in the 
ledger. Another exception is when a fine is imposed 
on a member, it appears in the Secretary's minutes, and 
thus gives him the information to charge the amount to 
the member's ledger account. Also when the Subsidi- 
ary High Court issues notice for payment of per capita 
tax, the minutes will furnish the Secretary the informa- 
tion of the amount to charge to each member in his 
ledger account. 

It will be borne in mind that the suggestions herein 
made in reference to keeping Court accounts, and the 
system of forms recommended and explanations given, 
are intended particularly for those who are unaccus- 
tomed to keeping books; i e, they are put in such shape 
that they will be most easily and best understood by 
any person unused to keeping accounts; at the same 
time a complete system is given, which can be followed 
and adopted by a trained accountant. 



154 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Cashpagel CASH RECEIPTS. 



1880. 






j»3 


r-> to • 


<-i <£> o 

85* 


Sund's 
and 
totals. 


Jan. 1 


Am ount on hand — 
In bank, $100.00. 
In Treasurer's hands 
$50.00 


y 
y 
y 

■vv 

y 

Vs/V 

y 
y 


y 
y 
y 

y 

v/y 

y 
y 


10 00 
1 00 
1 00 

"i'66 


2*25* 
2 25 
2 25 
2 25 
6 00 
2 25 


140 00 


" 1 


W. Williams 




" 1 






" 1 

" 1 


J. Johnston 




" 1 
" 1 


E. Jones, bal int. fee. . 
T. Thomas 




" 1 


J. Simpson, prop, fee, 
M. F acc't 


1 00 


" 1 


Donation to B. F. by 
Ct. E. H. Asss'n, pro- 
ceeds of entertainment 

J. Smith 

Funeral allowance from 
District ac'tBro J.Har- 
rison, S and F. F. acc't 

Bank interest 

Total Ct. dues, (2d col.). 

10 per ct. B. F $2.95 

40 per ct. M. F 11.80 

50 per ct. S. & F. F. 14.75 

$29.50 

Endowment dues, $4.<)0. 

W Hendrickson, dues 

and per capita tax .... 

J. Thomas, dues and 

per capita tax 

Two members Colored 

cert. M. F. acc't 

Total Ct. dues, (2d col.). 

10 per ct. B. F $0.33 

40 per ct. M. F 1.30 

50 per ct. S. & F. F. 1.62 

$3.25 

Endowm't dues, $1.10. 

Court Little John, No. 

9,000, refu'd sick pay 






16 75 


» 1 

«' 1 

" 1 


1 00 
1 10 


2 25 
l6'66' 


50 00 
29 50 

25 

25 

1 50 
3 25 


Teb.l 
" 1 
«' 1 


2 25 
1 00 






Mch.l 






5 00 


" 2 




2 25 
1 00 




•' 3 


W. Thompson 






Amounts carried for- 
ward 




Totals 


$15 10 


$3 25 


$247 50 



ANCNENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

CASH EXPENDITURES. 



155 

Cash page 2 



J. Smith, funeral allow, 
acc't wife's death, acc't 
Dist. and S. and F. F. 
acc't 

J. Timothy, 3 m'th rent 
to April 1 

J. Sloan, H. Ct. Treas. 
End'nt dues 

Printing notices $2 ; post- 
age, $1; Endowm't F. 

acc't 

Total Ct expenses (2d 
col.) 

Dr. J. Thomas services 
to Jan. 1, S. and F. F. 
acc't 

S. James, two weeks' sick 
allow to Jan. 10. 

T. Stanley, one week's 
sick allow, acc't Court 
Little John, No 9,000, 
M. F. acc't 

The Standard District 
Court, H Ct. per cap- 
ita tax, $10.00: goods, 
$5; Dist. dues, $10.00; 
(Jan. 25) M. F. acc't . . 
Total Ct. 
Feb. 1, (2d col.) 



Amounts carried for- 
ward 



VV 

V 
V 

V 



V 

V 

VV 



VVV 



VV 






VV 

V 

V 

V 



V 
V 

VV 



vvv 



VV 






10 oo 



3 oo 



$13 00 



Totals 



25 00 
15 00 



10 00 
10 00 



5 00 



25 00 



40 00 



50 00 



$90 00 



156 

Cath page 3 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

CASH RECEIPTS-Continued. 



1880. 



Mch.3 

" 4 
" 4 
« 4 

" 4 



18 



Amounts brought for- 
ward . . 

Chas. Farmer 

W. Harmans 

S. James 

T, Stanley, dues for 
Court Little John, 
No. 9,000, M. F. acc't. 

Total Ct. dues rec'd, 

2d col.) 

10 per ct B. F $0.83 

40perct M F.... 3.30 
50 per ct. S. & F. F. 4.12 

$8.25 

J. Hunt, dues donated. 

S. Sampson 

One members Colored 

cert., M. F. acct 

One members emblem 

sash, M. F. acc't 

E. Jones 

W. Williams 

A. Andrews 

J. Smith, dues, fines, 

M. F. acc't 

T.Thomas 

W. Hendrickson 

J. Thomas 

Total Ct. dues, etc., 

rec'd, (2d col.) 

lOperct. B. F $2 15 

40perct.M. F 8.60 

SOperct. S &F.F. 10.75 

$21.50 

Balance on hand — 
In bank, $150.00. 
In Treasurer's hand 
$44.10 



v/vV 
v/ 
v/ 



n/vV 



s/ 
s/ 

v/\/ 

v/v/ 

v/ 
v/ 

v/ 

v/v/ 

V 

V 

vVv/ 
v/v/ 



*<% 



v/s/v/ 
n/ 

v/ 
v/ 



v/v/v/ 



s/ 
v/ 

v/v/ 

v/v/ 
v/ 
v/ 
v/ 

v/v/ 
v/ 
v/ 
v/ 

v/v/V 

v/v/ 



HT3 



15 10 



$2 10 $192 00 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

CASH EXPENDITURES-Continued. 



157 

Cash page £ 






ma 






Totals 



Amounts brought for- 
ward 

J. Hunt, donation for 
dues, B. F. ace 

Court Little John, No. 
9,000, acc't dues paid 
by T. Stanley, M. F. 
acct | 

Total Ct. expen's March 
18, (2d col. ) 

Total expenses during 
quarter 

Balance on hand — 
In bank, > 150. 00. 
In Treasurer's hands, 
$44.10 



vV 

V 

VV 

VV 
VV 

VV 



vV 

V 

VV 
VV 

VV 

VV 



13 00 



2 25 



90 00 



4 50 



13 00 



2 10 



192 00 



15 10 



286 50 



158 



ANCIENT ORDEK OF FOEESTEES MANUAL. 



[Ledger page 1.] 
W. Williams, initiated July 10, 1875, aged 25, 110 9th Street. 



1879. 
Dec. 15 

1880. 
Jan. 1 

Mch. 18 

" 18 



To Dues. 

By Cash. 

To Dues. 
By Cash. 



2 25 

2 25 

T~25 
2 25 



[Ledger Page 2.] 
J. Jones, initiated Oct. 5, 1879, aged 30, 200 8th Avenue. 



1879. 
Dec. 15 

1880. 
Jan. 1 



To Dues. 
By Cash.. 



2 25 
2 25 



[Ledger page 3.] 
J. Johnston, intiated Dec. 5, 1870, aged 20, 350 15th Street. 



1879. 
Dec. 15 

1880. 
Jan. 1 



To Dues. 
By Cash.. 



2 25 
2 25 



[Ledger page 4.] 
A. Andrews, initiated April 22, 1876, aged 35. 



1879. 
Dec. 15 

1880. 
Jan. 1 

Mch. 18 
" 18 



To Dues. 

By Cash.. 

To Dues. 

By Cash., 



2 25 
2 25 



2 25 
2 25 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



159 



[Ledger page 5.] 
J. Thomas. 



To Dues 

By Cash. 

To Dues 
By Cash. 



2 25 

2 25 

Y~25 
2 25 



[Ledger page 6.] 
Jas. Smith. 



1879. 
Dec. 15 


To Dues 


s/ 

V 
V 

s/ 


2 25 


1880. 


To Fine 


25 


Jan. 1 


By Cash 


2 50 
2 25 


Mch. 18 


To Dues 


25 

2 25 


" 18 


By Cash 


2 50 
2 50 









[Ledger page 7.] 
"W. Hendrickson 



1879. 
Dec. 15 
Jan. 15 



To Dues 

To per Cap. Tax 

By Cash 

To Dues 

By Cash 



2 25 
25 

2 50 
2 50 

~2~25 
2 25 



160 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 

[Ledger page 8.] 
John Thomas. 

To Dues 

To per Cap. Tax 

By Cash 

To Dues 

By Cash 



1879 
Dec. 15 

1880. 
Jan. 15 


Feb. 


1 


Mch. 


18 


'■ 


18 



1880. I 
Mch. 2 By Cash., 

" 18 To Dues. 



[Ledger page 9.] 
J. Beown. 



1880. 
Mch. 3 
'■ 18 



[Ledger page 10.] 
W. Thompson. 



By Cash . , 
To Dues . 



Balance due 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



161 



[Ledger page 11.] 
Chas. Farmer. 



1880. 
Mch. 4 

" 18 



By Cash.. 
To Dues. 



Balance due 



50 
2 25 



1 75 



[Ledger page 12.] 

W. Harmans. 

*Not entitled to benefit for wife. (See March 18, 1880. 



1880. 
Mch. 4 

" 18 

f « 18 



By Cash 

To Dues 

Entitled to benefit for wife from date 



* f Both these entries should be in red ink. 

In the first entry, the memorandum " see March 18, 18c0," is made at the 
time the second entry is made, and is a reference to the second entry, to 
avoid its being overlooked. 

This example shows that when W. Harmans was initiated, his wife was 
not in "good health," but afterwards, becoming restored, her husband 
became entitled to benefits on her account. If the wife was a confirmed 
invalid, then the original entry would remain unrevoked. When a new 
Ledger account is opened with the member, either on another page or in a 
new book, this entry shorild be transferred to the new account. 

[Ledger page 13.] 
S. James. 



1880. 
Mch. 4 
" 18 



By Cash. 
To Dues . 



2 25 
2 25 



[Ledger page 14.] 

T. Stanley, 400 20th Street; member of Court Little John, 
No. 9,000, N. Y. City. 



1880. 
Mch. 4 
" 18 



By Cash . , 
To Dues . 



2 25 
2 25 



162 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FOBESTEBS' MANUAL. 



[Ledger" page 15.] 
J. Hunt. 



1880. 
Mch. 18 
" 18 



To Dues 

By Cash donated . 



2 25 
2 25 



[Ledger Page 16.] 

J. Sampson, admitted by clearance, July 2, 1879 from 
Maid Marian, No. 8,000, London, England; aged 30 
residence 900 6th Avenue. 



Court 
years, 



1879. 
July 2 
2 

Sept. 18 
" 18 

Dec. 15 
" 15 

1880. 
Mch. 18 
" 18 



To Clearance Fee .... 
By Cash 

To 5-6 quarters' Dues 
By Cash 

To Dues 

By Cash 

To Dues 

By Cash 



3 00 
3 00 

T~88 

1 88 

2 25 
2 25 

2 25 
2 25 



[Leclgei* page 17.] 
E. Jones, initiated January 1, 1880; aged 28 years, 500 12th St. 



1879. 

Dec. 15 

" 15 

1880. 
Jan. 1 
1 

Mch. 18 
" 18 



To Proposition Fee 

By Cash 

To balance Initiation Fee 
By Cash 

To Dues 

By Cash 



1 00 

1 00 

6 00 
6 00 

"2~25 

2 25 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAX. 



163 



[Ledger page 18.] 
S. Teow, initiated September 20, 1871 ; aged 22 years. 



1878. 

Dec. 20 

" 20 

1879. 
Mch. 22 



To Dues. 
By Cash. 



To Dues 

Expelled April 5, 1879, by Arbitration 
Committee, for misconduct. (See Min- 
utes.) 



2 25 

2 25 



2 25 



[Ledger page 19.] 
H. Caheinoton, initiated June 18, 1877; aged 30 years, 
Main Street. 



300 



1878. 
Sept. 21 

Dec. 20 



1879. 
Mch. 22 



June 25 



To Dues 

Notified November 20, 1878. 
To Dues 



Suspended January 3, 1879. 



To Dues 

Notified May 22, 1879. 
To Dues 



Precluded July 2, 1879. 



2 25 

2 25 

4 50 
2 25 
2 25 
9 00 



[Ledger page 20 ] 
H. Lamb. 



1879. 

Dec. 15 

" 15 



1880. 
Jan. 1 



To Dues. 
To Fine . . 



By Cash. 



By Fine remitted. 
To Dues 



2 25 

25 



2 50 
2 25 



25 
~2~25 



164 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



[Ledger page 21.] 

J. Harbison, initiated February 10, 1870; aged[25 t years, 
60 19th Street. 



1879. 
Sept. 18 

" 18 



To Dues 

By Cash ; 

Died December 4, 1879, aged 34 years. 



2 25 
2 25 



[Ledger page 22.] 
S. Thompson. 



1879. 
Sept. 18 
" 18 



To Dues 

By Cash 

Clearance granted October 4, 1879. 



2 25 
2 25 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



165 





OOO OOOOIOOIOIOC 


in 


o 




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on hand . 
tion fee . . 
ues 

er capita 


tax ..... 

oods. ... 

ues 

t. 9,000.. 
. Stanley. 


c- 


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dues 

fund 
















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Timothy 
. Stanley, 
1 week's s 
iandard 


er capita 
oods $5; 
9,000. . . 
lance in 
















ft &c-^ a 
















bH OQ 


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Jan. 
Feb. 

















166 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



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ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



167 



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168 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



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un. All 
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cash 


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goods . . 
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ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



169 



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ANCIENT ORDER OP FORESTERS MANUAL. 



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ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



171 






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172 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS MANUAL. 



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O O 







ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 173 

New Yoke, April 1, 1880. 
To the Officers and Members of Court Robin Hood, No. 10,000, A. O.F. 
Beetheen: The undersigned herewith respectfully submit 
their report for the quarter, ending March 18, 1880. We have 
carefully examined all the accounts and vouchers, and have 
compared and verified the cash account with the Secretary's and 
Treasurer's warrants, and the ledger entries, checking each item 
in the accounts. 

We are pleased to report that our worthy Secretary and 
Treasurer have kept their accounts in a very satisfactory manner, 
and their attendance and assistance at the audit meetings 
greatly facilitated our completing the accompanying report, 
which, we are glad to say, shows a gratifying increase of the 
funds during the quarter. 

Fraternally yours, in U. B. G, 

W. Thompson, ) 

J. Thomas, > Auditors. 

J. Beown. ) 

AUDITORS EEPORT. 
Balance Sheet, One Quarter ending March 18, 1880, 
Management Fund. 
1880. Ob. 

Jan. 1 Balance on hand $56 00 

Dues $25 00 

Fines 25 

Prop, fee (1) 1 00 

Per capita tax 50 

Goods 8 25 

Court 9,000 5 00 

T. Stanley 2 25 

42 25 

Db. $98 25 

1880. 

Jan. 1 Rent $15 00 

Sick allowance to T. Stanley, Ct. 9,000. . . 5 00 

Per capita tax 10 00 

Goods 5 00 

District Dues 10 00 

Court 9,000 2 25 

47 25 

Balance in fund $51 00 



174 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Sick and Funeeae Fund. 
Ce. 
1880. 

Jan. 1 Balance on hand $70 00 

Fun. Allow, refunded by District $50 00 

Dues 31 24 

81 24 

De. $151 24 

1880. 

Jan. 1 J. Smith, wife's Fun. Allow $25 00 

Dr. J. Thomas services 10 00 

S. James, 2 weeks' Sick Allow 10 00 

45 00 

Balance in fund S106 24 

Benevolent Fund. 
Ce. 
1880. 

Jan. 1 Balance on hand $11 00 

Donations by Ct. E. H. Asso'n $16 75 

Dues 6 26 

23 01 

De, $37 01 

1880. 
Jan. 1 Donation to Bro. J. Hunt 2 25 

Balance in fund $34 76 

Endowment Fund. 
Ce. 
1880. 

Jan. 1 Balance on hand $10 00 

Dues 5 10 

De 15 10 

1880. 

Jah. 1 J. Sloan, H. Ct. Treas $10 00 

Pt'g and postage 3 00 

13 00 

Balance in fund $2 10 



ANCIENT OKDEK OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 175 

SUMMARY OF FUNDS. 

Management Fund $51 00 

Sick and Funeral Fund 106 24 

Benevolent Fund 34 76 

Endowment Fund 2 10 

$194 10 
Invested. 

In bank $150 00 

In Treas. hands „ 44 10 



$194 10 



Goods, Account. 



Mein. Mem. v , Quar. 



plain col. j^JJJJ' Repts. 



Emb. 
1880. cert". Cert Sish ' OctT'79 

Jan. 1 On hand 10 5 . . 3 

Purchased during quarter . . 1 

10 5 1 3 

Sold during quarter 3 1 

Mch. 18 On hand 10 2 . . 3 

Valuation. 
1880. 
Mch. 18 10 Member plain Cert., at 25 cents (cost.) 2 50 

2 " colored Cert., at 50 cents i cost) 1 00 

3 Quarterly reports, Oct. 1879, unsaleable and so 

labelled and filed in chest 00 

Total value of goods on hand $3 50 

Cash Assets. 

Dues from District 25 00 

Goods, account 3 50 

$28 50 

Total Worth of Court. 

Cash in funds 194 10 

Cash assets 28 50 

$222 60 



176 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

WORKING MATERIAL. 

1 Dispensation. 

8 Officers' ribbons. 

3 Trustees' " 

1 Chief Sanger's Bitual. 

1 Sub 

2 Gavels. 

40 Funeral ribbons. 
50 Members' sashes. 
100 Court By-Laws. 
1 Court seal. 

1 Copygram. 

2 Cash books, Nos. 1 and 2. 
2 Ledgers, Nos. 1 and 2. 

1 Endowment contribution book. 

2 Secretary's warrant books, Nos 1 and 2. 
2 Treasurer's " "1 and 2. 

1 Insurance policy, No. 2,000, Equitable Co., N. Y. City, $200. 

1 Court Chest. 

2 Stags heads. 
2 Battle axes. 
2 Spears. 

2 Horns. x 

1 Bank book, No. 1,100, Dime Savings Bank. 



ANCIENT ORDER OE FORESTERS' MANUAL. 177 

The Treasurer's warrants should read thus: 

No 188 No 188 

Paid to Treas'r of Court Robin flood, No. 10,000, A. 0. F. 

Paid for Pay to the order of 

For Chief Ranger. 

$ Secretary. 

The size of the stab should be about 3x3| inches, 
and the size of the warrant 3x8 inches. There should 
be three (3) warrants on a page, and 200 pages, which 
would give 600 warrants. This form would make the 
warrant book same as an ordinary bank check book, 
and three warrants on a page, is a more convenient 
form than in single bound shape; easier to fill out, and 
less bulky. 

The Secretary's warrants should read thus: 

188 

Received from 

$ 

Treasurer. 

The size of each warrant should be 3x8 inches, 
three (3) warrants to a page, and 100 pages would give 
300 receipts. 

NOTES. 

The Auditor's and Secretary's checks (v/) in the 
cash book, indicates that the items have been entered 
in the ledger accounts and endowment contribution or 
assessment book. Thus the credit to W. Williams, 



178 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

January 1st, is checked twice (vV)> showing, 1st, That 
W. Williams has been credited in the endowment con- 
tribution book. 2d, That his Court account in the 
ledger has been credited. The two checks in the 
Auditor's check column, shows they have compared the 
ledger and contribution book with the cash book, and 
verified the credits given. The credit to J. Thomas, 
February 1st, shows three checks, indicating, 1st, 
that $1.10 has been credited in endowment contribu- 
tion book. 2d, that $1.25 has been credited his 
Court account in ledger. 3d, that the item 25 cents, 
for per capita tax has been credited in the management 
fund in the ledger. 



The ledger account with members is simple addition 
and subtraction. When charges for dues and fines are 
entered, a single line is drawn underneath, and the 
amount charged is added to whatever is due, and the 
total is entered under the single line. 

When cash is paid, a single line is drawn under- 
neath the entry, and the amount is subtracted from the 
amount that is due. 

If the cash paid is equal to the amount charged, 
and which would leave no balance, then two lines are 
drawn underneath the amount paid, and signifies the 
account is balanced, and that the member does not owe 
anything, or in other words, is clear on the books. 
See W. Williams' account, ledger page 1, which shows 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 179 

his account balanced January 1, 1880, and W. Thomp- 
son's account, ledger page ] 0, which shows he owed 
$1.25 on March 18, 1880. Chas. Farmer's account, ledger 
page 11, shows he paid 50 cents in advance, on account 
of his dues; in this case, when his dues are charged 
afterwards, the amount previously paid, is subtracted, 
and the account shows he owed a balance of $1.75 on 
March 18, 1880. 

H. Carrington's account, ledger page 19, the mem- 
orandums "notified November 20, 1878," and "notified 
May 22, 1879," shows that notice was sent him when 
he was 5 months in arrears, and also when he was 11 
months in arrears, as required by general laws, Art. 
16, Sec. 14. The account also shows when he was sus- 
pended and precluded, and how much he owed at the 
time he was precluded. His account shows him sus- 
pended January 3, 1879, two weeks after he owed six 
months dues, or in other words, at the next regular 
meeting of the Court, after the date when he owed his 
second quarters' dues, for the reason that the member 
becomes virtually suspended at the close of the meet- 
ing, when he owed two quarters' dues, though the C. 
R. formally announces his suspension at the next reg- 
ular meeting. 

In the ledger accounts with members, we have not 
in all instances given the date when initiated, age, etc., 
because enough examples are given to show what is 
required. In some members' accounts, entries are 



180 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

made for years 1878-9, to exhibit examples of accounts. 

Only two members are charged and credited for 
per capita tax, though $10 is charged February 1, 1880, 
as being paid to the Standard District for per capita 
tax. The reason the other members are not charged 
and credited for per capita tax, is, that the cash 
account would show too much sameness, and would 
not allow of showing so clearly the entry of other and 
dissimilar receipts. 

Amounts in other instances, have been arbitrarily 
selected to show examples. 

We have assumed that quarterly meetings occur 
on the second meetings in March, June, September 
and December, as we consider these meetings should 
occur at these periods. 1st, Because members are 
usually better prepared to pay their dues on or after 
the middle of the month, than on or shortly after the 
first of the month. 2d, It brings the last quarters' 
dues and receipts of the year in the last meeting in 
December, and more properly shows the accounts of 
the year, than if the quarterly meetings occurred in 
January, April, July and October. 3d, It enables the 
Court to be better prepared to make directory, finan- 
cial sheet and District returns. 4th, It avoids delay 
and confusion on installation meetings. 

There are six meetings during a quarter, and candi- 
dates who have have been initiated during the quarter, 
should be charged for dues for as many meetings as 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 181 

they have been in the Court, commencing from the 
first meeting after their initiation, and including the 
following quarterly meeting. Thus: If a candidate is 
initiated on the third meeting in a quarter, he would 
be charged for three meetings' dues, or J of the regular 
quarterly dues. If the dues are $2.25 per quarter, -£ 
would be 37 \ cents, and f would be S1.12J, say $1.12, 
the amount to be charged him. (See example in ac- 
count of J. Sampson, ledger page 16.) 

When the Trustees draw money from the bank and 
pay the same to the Treasurer, they should take his 
receipt for the amount at the time he receives the 
money, and afterwards, say at the next Court meeting, 
he should give a receipt for the amount in the Secre- 
tary's warrant book, among his (the Treasurer's) re- 
ceipts for cash received at Court meetings. The re- 
ceipt would read as, " Keceived from Trustees," and 
should be marked " duplicate." 

RULE FOR DIVIDING FUNDS. 

Dividing the funds by percentage requires the sim- 
ple knowledge of multiplication, bearing in mind the 
following three points: — 

1st. Always write the amount to be divided among" 
the funds in full. If there are no cents in the amount 
to be divided, fill the place with two ciphers (00) thus: 
for $5.00; or thus, for $5.01. 

2d. When the amount is multiplied (by whatever 
percentage goes to each fund : say, either 10, 40 or 50 



182 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

per cent.), strike off the two figures or ciphers on the 
right hand side of the answer, and the other figures 
will give the percentage. 

Thus in the cash account January 1, 1880, the 
amount divided among the funds is $29.50. 10 per 
cent, to B. F. ; 40 per cent, to M. F. ; and 50 per cent, 
to S. and F. F. $29.50 multiplied by 10 equals 29.500, 
strike off two right hand figures or ciphers leaves 295 
cents, or $2.95 which goes to B. F. Next multiply $29.50 
by 40 equals 118.000, strike off two right hand figures or 
ciphers leaves 1,180 cents, or $11.80 which goes to M. 
F. Next multiply $29.50 by 50 equals 147.500, strike 
off two right hand figures or ciphers leaves 1,475 cents, 
or $14.75. These answers or sums added together 
proves the correctness of the divisions made, thus: — 

$2 95 
11 80 
14 75 



Added equals $29 50 

In proving the percentage ascertained, some times 
there will be a difference of from 1 to 9 cents, on ac- 
count of the right hand figures or fractions struck off; 
in such cases the Secretary can divide the amount of 
difference among the three funds or add it all to any 
one of the funds. 

A shorter rule to ascertain the percentage than the 
one given is as follows: first find what is 10 per cent, 
of the amount to be divided, then multiply it by 4, 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 183 

which will give 40 percent., and then multiply the same 
amount by 5, which will give 50 per cent., thus, 10 per 
cent, of $29.50 is $2.95; 40 per cent, is 4 times $2.95, 
or $11.80; and 50 per cent, is 5 times $2.95, or $14.75. 

$2 95 
11 80 
U 75 



Added equals $29 50 

This mark or sign (°] ) means per cent. 

There are other shorter methods of ascertaining 
percentage which we do not give, as they would likely 
confuse those who are unaccustomed to ciphering. Se- 
cretaries who have a knowledge of the shorter methods, 
will, of course use them, and can explain them to the 
Auditors, or let the Auditors use the rules herein ex- 
plained. 

SIZE OF BOOKS, ETC. 

The size of the cash book should be 15x10 inches 
each page, 144 pages, known as " demy size," and will 
have to be partially ruled by Secretaries (unless made 
to order,) to conform to the rulings in cash book in 
these examples. 

The size of the ledger should be 13|x9J, 432 pages, 
known as " crown size." 

The size of the endowment contribution book should 
be 15x10 inches, 144 pages, known as "demy size." 
Secretaries will ask their stationers for " record book, 



184 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

demy size," and rule it themselves, according to the 
form given for endowment contribution book. 

The minute book should be crown size, 13|x9J 
inches, 432 pages. 

The sizes given in inches, refers to depth and width, 
and is the size of a page of the paper, and not of the 
books when bound. 

The cash book, ledger and minute book should be 
bound in what is termed "sheep and ends." The 
other books can be bound in ' pasteboard covers, or 
what is termed "half-bound" style. The number of 
pages suggested for cash book, ledger, etc., are uneven 
numbers, but they are the number that is usually 
bound up. There are 72 pages to a quire, and a book 
of 144 pages is called a two-quire book. 

NOTES FOR SECRETARY. 

Immediately after each quarterly meeting, the Secre- 
tary after crediting all the members who have paid 
their dues, will then examine each member's account 
and make a list of all members who should be sus- 
pended or precluded. He should head the list, " mem- 
bers suspended for non-payment of dues," and "mem- 
bers precluded for non-payment of dues." The date 
should be given at the head of these lists. On the 
dates when these lists should be announced, the Secre- 
tary will hand them to the C. R, who will read them 
and declare the members named suspended or pre- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 185 

eluded, as the case may be. The Secretary will record 
the action of the C. E. in the minute book, and also 
insert the names read. In addition to inserting these 
names under the proper headings or summary in the 
back part of the minute book, the ledger account of 
the members suspended or precluded should have an 
entry showing when they were suspended or precluded, 
(See ledger example.) 

A new Secretary immediately after he has been 
elected should review and examine all the various ac- 
counts kept in the cash, ledger, minute, and other 
books, so as to become familiar with his duties, and to 
understand what is to be done when any special occa- 
sion arises. 

A list of officers, Trustees and Standing Committees 
for each term should be kept in back part of minute 
book, space being allowed for several term entries. 

DECISIONS BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND RESOLUTIONS BY HIGH 
COURT MEETINGS. 

Reports. Fines. 

April, 1878. 1. It is the duty of the C. R.to enforce all 
fines specified by law. They should be re- 
corded at the meeting on which they were 
incurred or inflicted. 

2. Where the law fails to provide a fine, it 
must be inflicted, and the amount declared by 
the C. R, or vote of the Court or Arbitration 
Commitee. 



186 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Appointed Officer not to be Installed. 
An officer who is such by appointment need 
not be installed. 

Clearances. 
No clearance can be recognized except upon 
the form issued by the High Court. 
Password Authority. 
No authority from one Court to another to 
give the password to its members can be 
recognized, except through the form issued by 
the High Court. No written authority is per- 
missible, nor can the password be transmitted 
in writing. 

Entering a Court. 
Members should always on entering a Court 
address the C. R. previous to giving the sign ; 
the same rule to be observed on retiring. 

Use of the Gavel. 
One signal calls the Court to attention, or 
seats it when standing. 

Two signals are for the officers to assume a 
standing position. 

Three signals will summons the whole Court 
to rise. 

A Clearance and one of its Necessities. 
April, 1879. A member of the Order whose Court has 
broken up cannot, if out of District, be ad- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 187 

mitted into another Court without first obtain- 
ing a clearance and sanction from the Sub- 
sidiary High Court. 

C. B. requesting Assistance. 
The C. R. has the power to call for assist- 
ance from any P. C. R., or superior officer when 
occasion may require.— Res. S. H. C. 

Honorary Members and Password. 

Honorary members of a Court, who are 
financial members of another Court, shall ob- 
tain the quarterly password, all instructions, 
etc., from the Court of which they are financial 
members. Any Court furnishing the password, 
etc., to any honorary members, who are finan- 
cial members of another Court, shall be fined 
ten dollars. 

(This double membership of honorary mem- 
bers in one Court and financial members in 
another is not now permissible.) 

District Benevolent Fund. 
A District Court is not compelled to have a 
Benevolent Fund. But it is advisable it should 
have. 

Balloting for District Officers. 
District officers may be elected by paper 
ballots, unless the District laws provide other- 
wise. 



188 ANCIENT OEDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Expelling District Officers and Delegates. 
April, 1877. Should any officer or a delegate of a Dis- 
trict violate any of the laws of the District, 
the District has the power to expel the offend- 
ing member from the Order. 

District — Jurisdiction of. 
No District has entire jurisdiction over a 
State; but that not more than one District can 
exist in any city or town working in the same 
language. (We do not understand the first 
part of this decision to be sound in law, for 
the reason that we do not know of anything to 
prevent the jurisdiction of a District extending 
through an entire State, or over Courts 
opened by it in any other State or States. It 
is true other Districts' may be formed in the 
same State, thus denying exclusive jurisdic- 
tion. — Eds.) 

Members holding Clearance and Visiting Courts. 

A member (to whom a clearance has been 
granted) can visit Courts while in possession 
of the current password, provided he has ob- 
tained the same in a legal manner, which 
would only give the member four weeks fur- 
ther time to visits Courts, after the two months 
allowed by law, within .which to deposit his 
clearance. 



July, 1877. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 189 

Subsidiary High Court per Capita Tax. 
Immediately upon the initiation of a mem- 
ber, the Court becomes liable to the Subsi- 
diary High Court for the per capita tax, which 
must be forwarded on the first of January. 

Balloting for Candidates Compulsory. 
It is compulsory upon Courts to ballot for 
a candidate, even though the Investigation 
Committee report "unfavorable," providing 
the proposition has been received. 

Sick Pay. 
(If a member is entitled to benefits at the 
time he declares sick, it is incumbent upon 
the Court to keep him so entitled during the 
continuance of his sickness, by deducting his 
dues, etc., from his sick benefits, and placing 
the same to his credit. Art. XVII, § 16. — 
Eds.) 



190 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

APPENDIX. 

CHARGE AND SPECIFICATIONS. 



18. 



To the Chief Kanger of Court 

No A. 0. F. 

I, John Smith, a financial member of Court , 

No , A. O. F., do hereby prefer a charge against Brother 

, of Court , No , 

A. O. F., and do herewith charge him with conduct unbecoming 

a Forester, in that the said Brother has 

been guilty of obtaining admission into said Court as a member 
thereof, by and under false pretenses, and in support of said 
charge, I do hereby submit the following specifications, viz. : 

1. That on or about the day of 18 , 

the said Brother , by and through Brothers 

and made application 

to said Court to be admitted a member thereof,and did then and 
there allege, certify and declare that he was in good bodily 
health, and free from infirmities tending to shorten life, and 
that he had no constitutional infirmity whatsoever. 

2. That on the day of 18 , the said 

Brother presented himself before Brother 

, the Physician of said Court, for examina- 
tion, and did then again declare that he was in good bodily 
health, that he had never had any sickness, and was then free 
from any constitutional infirmity. 

3. That upon the faith of said representations, relying up- 
on and believing in the truth thereof, the said Court 

, No , admitted the said Brother 

, to membership therein, and he ever since has been 

and still is a member thereof. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 191 

4. That in truth and in fact, the said Brother 

was not then, and is not now in good bodily health 

and free from infirmities tending to shorten life, nor was he 
then, nor is he now free from any constitutional infirmity, nor 
was it true that he had never had any sickness; but on the con- 
trary, the said Brother then was, ever since 

has been, and still is addicted to 

which has a tendency to shorten life and is a constitutional in- 
firmity, and well known by the said Brother 

so to have been and known by him to exist at the time he made 
the representations above mentioned. 

5. That by reason of the false representations made by the 
said Brother as aforesaid, he procured ad- 
mission to said Court as a member thereof, and said Court in 
consequence thereof, has been imposed upon, and may be (or 
has been) called upon to pay to him divers sums of money for 
sick benefits, and will continue liable so to pay in and about the 

sickness of the said Brother , which said 

sickness arises from and is connected with such (state sickness 
or the evidences of it). 

Wherefore, I respectfully pray .that the foregoing charge, to- 
gether with the specifications accompanying the same be referred 

to the Arbitration Committee of said Court , 

No. , A. O. F., to the end that such judgment be rendered 

and the said Brother dealt with as may be 

just and according to law. 

(Signed) John Smith. 

appeal. 
New York, 18 

To the District Chief Kanger and Officers of the New York and 

Brooklyn United District, A. 0. F. 

Respected Brethren: — I, the undersigned, John Smith, a mem- 
ber in good standing of Court No , 



192 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

A. O. F., connected -with and forming a branch of the above Dis- 
trict Court, do hereby respectfully appeal to the District Arbitra- 
tion Committee, from the decision of the Arbitration Committee 

of said Court , No , rendered on the 

day of 18 . 

DISMISSING A CHARGE, WITH FIVE DOLLARS COSTS. 

Upon a complaint made by me against Brother 

a member of said Court, in having been guilty of 

conduct unbecoming a Forester. 

That the grounds of said appeal are as follows: 

1. That the said decision was contrary to the evidence ad- 
duced in support of said charge, and in conflict with the law. 

2. That the Arbitration Committee was not legally consti- 
tuted — in this, that only four of said committee were present. 

3. That the committee was not sworn, and that the C. R. 
refused to swear them. 

•i. That the said committee admitted the C. E. and de- 
fendant during the deliberations of said committee. 

- 5. That the decision was not signed by a majority of the 
committee. 

For and by reason of the errors above named, I insist that 
the decision of the said Arbitration Committee should be re- 
versed, and a new trial ordered. 

Fraternally submitted, 

Johx Smith. 

NOTICE TO THE COI"RT. 

New York IS 

To Court , No 

Respected Breihreji: — Feeling aggrieved by the decision of the 
Arbitration Committee in the case of myself against Brother 
as rendered on the dav of 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 193 

18 , I have appealed therefrorn to the Dis- 
trict Arbitration Committee, and do herewith annex a true copy 
of such appeal. 

Fraternally yours, 

John Smith. 

RETUEN BY THE COURT TO THE APPEAL. 

New York, 18 ... 

To the District Chief Eanger and Officers of the New York and 

Brooklyn United District. 

Respected Brethren: — In pursuance of the notice of appeal 
served by Brother John Smith in his appeal from the decision 
of the Arbitration Committee of this Court, and agreeable to the 
law in such cases made and provided, the said Court does here- 
by make its return to said appeal by submitting, annexed here- 
to, the charge, answer (if any), the records of the Arbitration 
Committee meeting, the evidence adduced thereto, and the de- 
cision of the said committee; and in answer to the grounds of 
error alleged in said appeal, the said Court avers, that while ad- 
mitting that the committee were not sworn, it denies that the 
C. E. refused to swear them, etc. 

Yours fraternally, 
[Seal] Secbetaey. 

The foregoing forms should be regarded as simple 
suggestions, and must be altered and modified to meet 
the merits and circumstances of each particular case. 

In appeals, other than from Arbitration Committees, 
the form given in this Appendix will serve as a speci- 
men as to the manner of drawing it. 

If the appeals be to the Executive Council or final 
Arbitrators, the form given will have to be altered, so 
as to conform thereto. 



194 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

BOND OF TREASURER. 

Know all men by these presents, that we 

(principal), of the (city, town or village) of 

, and , of 

and , of 

(sureties), are held and firmly bound unto Court 

, No , of the Ancient Order of Foresters Benefit 

Society, of the City of in the penal sum 

of hundred dollars, to be paid to the said Court 

, No , of the Ancient Order of Foresters 

Benefit Society aforesaid, or its assigns, for which payment well 
and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors 
and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these pres- 
ents, sealed with our seals, and dated the day of 

, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, 

eight hundred and 

Whekeas, the above bounden , has 

been elected (or chosen) Treasurer of the said Court 

, No , aforesaid, by reason whereof he will re- 
ceive into his hands and custody, divers sums of money, papers 

and other effects, the property of the said Court 

., No , as aforesaid. 

Now the condition of the above obligation is such, that if 

the said , his executors or administrators, 

shall well and truly, from the funds in his hands or custody, as 
received by him, or by his substitute and nominee named by 
him to act in his behalf, and in his absence, from and belonging 

to the said Court . . , No , aforesaid, 

pay all bills which the said Court , No. 

, as aforesaid, shall from time to time direct to be paid 

from such funds, when duly presented to him with the proper 
vouchers therefor, and at the expiration of his said office, in- 
cluding any successive term or terms for which he may be re- 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 195 

elected, upon due request to him or them to be made, shall 

make and give unto the said Court , No. 

, aforesaid, the Trustee or Trustees as shall be in office and 

elected as such by the said Court No. 

.. ...., a just and true account of all such sum or sums of 

money, goods, chattels and other things as shall have come into 
his hands, charge or possession, either directly or through his 
substitute and nominee, as such Treasurer aforesaid or other- 
wise, and shall and do pay and deliver over to his successor in 
office, or any other person or persons duly authorized by the 

said Court , No , to receive the 

same, all such balances or sums of money, goods, chattels and 
other things which shall appear to be in his hands or possession 

and due by him, the said , to the said 

Court , No , aforesaid, and shall 

otherwise well and faithfully perform the duties of his said 
office; then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in 
full force and virtue. 

Signed, sealed and delivered ] [Seal] 

in the presence of: 

r [ [Seal] 

J [Seal] 



This bond should be acknowledged before a Notary 
Public or other officer authorized to administer oaths 
and take acknowledgements to deeds. 

If the above form is not in accordance with the law 
of the State wherein it is to be used, then it should be 
so altered as to conform thereto, or in the event of the 
court being unincorporated, the bond should be made 
payable to the Trustees of the Court, in this wise: "A, 



196 ANCIENT OEDEE OF FOEESTEBS' MANUAL. 

B, C, D, E and F (giving full names) as Trustees of 

Court , No , etc. (as in above 

form), their successors and assigns," and this through- 
out the bond. In all cases the Court should be careful 
to have the bond read over to the parties signing it. 

In the event of the Treasurer's re-election, it would 
be proper and advisable to endorse on the back of the 
bond as follows: 

"We hereby acknowledge notice of the re-election of 

as Treasurer "within named, and agree to a 

continuance of the bond and of the liability therein named, with 
all its provisions and conditions. 

Dated 

[Seal] 

[Seal] 

[Seal]" 

Witness 

This same bond can, with very slight alterations, be 
adapted for the Secretary or Financial Secretary, Trus- 
tee, or any other officer. 

FOEM OF FUNERAL CLAIM. 

New York, 18 

To the Officers of the New York and Brooklyn United District, 

A. O f F. 

Respected Brethren: — You will please take notice that * 

Brother , a member of Court 

No , died at , on the 

day of ,18 , at the age of 

years. That at the date of his death, Brother 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 197 

was in good standing, and a financial 

member of said Court and District. 

We, therefore, respectfully claim on behalf of the Court, the 

funeral allowance of dollars, as provided by 

law. 

Fraternally yours, 

C. R. 

S. C. R. 

[Seal] Sec. 

This notice should be accompanied with such other 
proof and documents as may be required by the Dis- 
trict By-Laws. 

FORM OF FUNERAL CLAIM FOR WIFE OF MEMBER. 

Proceed as in above form as far as the * and continue thus: 

" , wife of Brother , 

a member of Court , No died at 

, on the day of , 

18 , at the age of years, of 

(disease.) 

That on the date of her death, our said Brother (and then 
continue as in above form)." 

AFFIDAVIT AND PROOF FOR ENDOWMENT. 

State of . . . 
County of . 

.being 

duly sworn, says that she is the widow of 

a member of Court , No , A. O. F. ; 

that the marriage between the said 

and this deponent existed at the date of the death of said 

; that the said died at No 

street, in the city of , 

on the day of. ,18 , at the age 

of years, that the cause of such death was 



198 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

, and that the duration of his sickness from attack 

until time of death was 

Deponent further says that the said 

left no last will and testament, to her knowledge; that she is the 
nominee of her said husband, and as such is entitled to, and 

claims the Endowment Fund allowance of 

dollars. 

Sworn to before me, this 

day of 18. 



This affidavit if made by any other person as claim- 
ant, can be altered to suit the circumstances of the case. 

CERTIFICATE BY PHYSICIAN OR CORONER. 

I, , a practicing physician in the 

city of , (or coroner of ) 

do hereby certify that I was the attending physician of 

, who died on the day of 

,18 , at No street, in the city 

of at the age of years ; that 

the cause of such death was : that the 

duration of such sickness from attack to time of death was 



Sworn to before me, this 

day of 18. 



The above certificate is only necessary when a tran- 
script of death from the Board of Health cannot be 
obtained. 

CERTIFICATE BY THE CORONER. 

I, , coroner of 

do hereby certify that , died at 

, on the day of , 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 199 

18 , at the age of years; that the cause of death 

was ; that the duration of sickness (if 

any) from attack to time of death was 

Sworn to before me, this 

day of , 18.. 



NOTIFICATION BY THE COURT SECRETARY. 

New Yoke, , 18 ... . 

To the Executive Council of the Subsidiary High Court, United 
States America. 
Respected Bi ethren: — I herewith beg to notify you of the death 

of our late Brother, , who was at the time 

of his death, a member in good standing of Court 

, No , and of the Endowment Eund, and the 

holder of Endowment Certificate No. , dated 

; amount, $ 

I herewith enclose the required proof and documents, pur- 
suant to § 15 of Art. XXXIV. 

Fraternally yours, 

Seceetakt. 

[Seal] Court , No 

APPLICATION TO WITHDRAW FROM DISTRICT OR SUBSIDIARY HIGH 
COURT. 

To the District (or Executive Council of 

the Subsidiary High Court. 

Brethren: — At a summoned meeting of Court 

, No , convened for that purpose, and held at 

, on the day of 

18 , it was resolved that this Court, by and with 

the consent of the District Court (or Subsidiary High Court), 
withdraw from said District Court (or Subsidiary High Court). 

We, therefore, pursuant to said resolution and the General 
Laws, made and provided, petition your honorable body for the 
permission required. 



200 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MAKUAL. 

Our reasons for taking the above course are as follows (here 
state reasons for withdrawing). 

Trusting our petition will receive your favorable considera- 
tion, 

"We are, fraternally yours, 

C. K. 

S. C. K. 

[Seal] Seo. 

This form can be adapted to suit application to the 
Executive Council of the High Court to withdraw 
therefrom, in order to join the Subsidiary High Court. 

APPLICATION TO JOIN HIGH COURT OR SUBSIDIARY HIGH COURT. 

To the Executive Council of High Court (or Subsidiary High 
Court). 
Respected Brethren : — At a summoned meeting of Court 

, No , held at , 

on the day of ,18 , and convened 

for that purpose, it was resolved that this Court withdraw from 
the High Court (or Subsidiary High Court), and place itself un- 
der the jurisdiction of the Subsidiary High Court of the United 
States (or High Court). That application to the said Subsidiary 
High Court (or High Court) has been made by said Court to be 
admitted to its jurisdiction, and such application granted, as 
will appear by the document herewith enclosed. 

We, therefore, beg permission and sanction from your hon. 
orable body, to withdraw from said High Court, and to join said 
Subsidiary High Court. 

Fraternally yours, 

C.K. 

S. C. K. 

[Seal] Sec. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 201 

DECLARATION OF SICKNESS. 

New York, 18. . . . 

Esq., Secretary of Court 

No 

Bear Sir and Brother : — I beg to inform you that I am sick 
and unable to follow any employment. I therefore declare upon 
the funds of the Court, and claim the sick benefits, as allowed 
by the By-Laws. 

Fraternally yours, 



SECRETARY S NOTIFICATION TO THE WOODWARDS, CHIEF RANGER 
AND SUB CHIEF RANGER. 

M 

Bear Sir and Brother : — You will please take notice that I 

have this day been notified of the sickness of Brother 

, residing at ; you will 

therefore visit him, in compliance with our By-Laws. 
Fraternally yours, 



MEMBER S DECLARATION OFF THE FUNDS. 

New York, , 18 

M , Secretary of Court 

No 

Bear Sir and Brother: — Having recovered from my sickness r 
I hereby declare off the funds of the above Court. 
Fraternally yours, 



I approve the above. 
(Signed) Physician, 



202 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 
NOTICE OF EXPULSION FOR CAUSE. 

New York , 18 

To the Executive Council of the Subsidiary High Court (or Dis- 
trict Court). 

"We have to request you to insert in your next report (or to 
request the Executive Council of the Subsidiary High Court to 

insert in their next report), the name of , 

expelled from Court No , on the 

day of 18 , for 

(state cause) ; and hereby certify that the necessary time has 
elapsed, allowing the said member to appeal against his expul- 
sion, to the Court next in superiority. 

Signed this day of 

18.... 

C. R. 

j Court | S. C. R. 

\ Seal, f Sec. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 203 



INDEX. 



A. 

Page. 

Absentees 47 

Accounts and books — keeping of. 130-153 

" auditing of 89 

" cash books " 136 

" Court Ledger " 147 

books— forms of 153-177 

" of Treasurer " 172 

Affidavit for endowment claim — form of. 197 

Amalgamation of Courts 79 

Amendments, etc. , to By-Laws 66 

" " general laws 78 

Appeals 6£ . 

" form of 191 

' ' notice of — form of 192 

" return on, " 193 

" from decisions of C. B 63 

Appendix 190-202 

Application to withdraw from Dis. or S. H. C — form of . . . . 199 

join H. C. or '■ " 200 

Appointment of committees 49 

Appointed officers — not to be installed 186 

Approval to initiate new members 78 

Arbitration Committee 54-62 

Assistance — C. B. requesting 187 

Associations, etc., — joining the A. O. F 75 

Audit Committee 43 

Auditing accounts 89 

Auditor's report — signing of 92 

form of 173-176 

Authority for password 186 

B. 

Balloting for District officers 187 

" candidates 17 

" " compulsory 189 



204 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Page 

Bank account 47 

." book 48 

" loss of 48 

Benevolence 13 

Benevolent fund of District 187 

Bills — payment of 50 

Bond of Treasurer, etc. , — form of 194 

Bonds 46 . 

Book — cask, and entries in 140-147 

• ' Court Ledger — how kept 147 

" minute— form of. 131-140 

* * " other entries in 136-140 

Books and accounts 130-153 

' ' required 131 

" forms for keeping of. 153-177 

Business on Sunday — not allowed 75 

O. 

Candidates — proposition of 32 

" for membership 20 

rejected 16-19-20 

" balloting for 17 

" " compulsory 189 

** admission of, whose wives in ill health 32 

" initiation of 20-29 

Cash book — entries in 141-147 

' ' form of. 153 

Certificate of physician and coroner for End. claim — forms of 198 

Charges 54-62-63 

form of 190 

" by and against Courts and sister Courts 62-63 

Chief Banger 7-8-10 

" appeals from decision of 63 

" requesting assistance 187 

Claim for funeral allowance — form of .* 196-197 

• ' funeral 70 

Clearance membership 35-37 

• ' in new Courts 71 

" member holding — visiting Courts 188 

" one of its necessities 186 

Clearances 186 

CJolored members , 84 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 205 

Page 

Communications 13, 14, 15 

from S. H. C 76 

Committee on candidates 15, 16, 17 34 

" of investigation — new 16 

" on laws and supervision — duty of 125 

on finance (S. H. C.)— duty of 126 

- " on written work " " 127 

" on unwritten work " 127 

" on printing " " 127 

" on state of the Order " 128 

" on mileage and per diem 128 

' ' on credentials and returns 124 

Committees of S. H. C. — appointment, etc., — duty of. . .124-129 

' ' special 128 

" on goods and effects " 128 

" on nominations " 129 

of Courts on audit 43 

" finance...., 43 

" appointment of 49-50 

" arbitration 43, 54, 62 

" " procedure of 54-63 

other — reports of 42-43 

Constitution — signing of 29-30 

Consolidation of Courts 79 

Contribution card — best form of receipt 39 

Contempt 84 

Courtesies to visiting officials 11 

Court — opening of 7, 9 

" meeting — absence of quorum at 79 

" Ledger — how kept 147-153 

* ' entering of 186 

Courts — removing 71 

" names of 75 

" consolidation of 79 

" incorporation of '. 82 

• ' suspension of 82 

" seceded or suspended — reinstating of 85 

• ' dissolution of 92 

• ' organization of 98-105 

" principles to be adopted by 103-105 

Credentials and returns — duty of committee on 124 



206 ANCIENT OBDER OF FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Page 

D. 

Decisions of Executive Council 185-189 

Declaration of sickness — form of. 201 

off funds „ 201 

Deficiencies in funds accounts 82 

Delegates — removal and impeachment of. 74, 188 

Deputy D. C. R . . . . 86 

Directory — return sheets — directions for 105-114 

Directions for directory return sheets 105-114 

" " financial " " 115-123 

" " recording minutes, etc 130-140 

" " keeping cash book 141-147 

" " " Court Ledger 147-153 

Dispensation to be draped in mourning 97 

Dishonesty — willful errors 91 

District — name, etc., of new member to be returned to 31 

1 ' returns to 64 

1 ' withdrawal from 76 

" Benevolent Fund of 187 

" officers — balloting for 187 

" " and delegates — expulsion of. 188 

" jurisdiction of 188 

" withdrawal from — form of 199 

Division of funds 90 

Dues — payment of. 37 

" " monthly 40 

E. 

Election of officers 45-46 

Endowment Fund 72 

" " entrance fees, etc 31 

" " claims and proof — forms of 197 

Entries in cash book — how made 141-147 

Court Ledger " 147-153 

" minute book — other than minutes 136-140 

Entering a Court — how 186 

Errors — willful, etc 91 

Examples of book forms for accounts , 153 

Executive Council — decisions of. 185-189 

Explanatory notes for keeping books 178-185 

Expulsion of District officers and delegates 188 

" for cause — form of notice of 202 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 207 

Page 
F. 

Financial Secretary. 38-39 

" return sheets — directions for 115-123 

Finance Committee 43 

" S. C. H. — committe on — duty of 126 

Fines — for misconduct, etc 86 

" how enforced 185 

Forms — of charges, bonds, etc 190-202 

" of recording minutes . .132-140 

Foresters — Juvenile 87 

Funds accounts— deficiencies in , 82 

" division of 90 

" account — forms for keeping 165-170 

1 ' declaration on — form of 201 

off » 201 

Funeral claims 70 

form of. 196 

Funeral — directions and procedure for 93-97 

G. 

Gavel— use of 186 

General suggestions , 54 

laws of the Order and S. H. C 77 

" " amendments to -. . 78 

Good and welfare 51 

Goods — procuring of 92 

" and effects, S. H. C. — committee on 129 

H. 

High Court — application to join — form of 200 

" meetings — resolutions of. 185-189 

" liability of for debts of Sub-Courts 77 

Honors — retention of past 70 

credited 92 

Honorary membership 83 

" members and pass-word 187 

I. 

Impeachments, etc., of officers and delegates 74, 188 

Initiation of candidates 20-29 

Initiation fees 31 

" " in new Courts 71 

" and proposition at same meeting 84 



208 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 

Page 

Incorporation of Courts 82 

Installation of officers 46 

" -* public 49 

Installations 49 

J. 

Joining S. H. C. or H. C. — form of application for 200 

Jurisdiction of Districts 188 

Juvenile Foresters 87 

L. 

Laws — general, of the Order 77 

" " amendments to 78 

" and supervision S. H. C. — committee on— duty of. . . 125 

Ledger — Court — how kept 147-153 

" of members' accounts — form of 158-164 

Liability of High Court for debts of Sub-Courts 77 

M. 

Meetings — secret 84 

Members — reinstatement of . 34, 35 

" unfmancial 40 

" notice to delinquent 40 

" " when 5 months in arrears 40 

"11 " " 40 

11 suspended, etc 41 

" holding clearance, visiting Courts 188 

•' new — names, etc., to be sent to District 31 

" " approval of, to initiate 78 

44 colored 84 

Membership — clearance 35, 37, 1 88 

certificate of 30-31 

" application form for 32 

44 withdrawal from 37 

4 4 honorary 83 

4> " and pass-word 187 

44 roll of — return sheet 114 

Mileage and per diem — committee on 128 

Minute book 131 

44 other entries in 136-140 

Minutes — reading of 11 

4 ' form of recording 132-140 

Misconduct— fines for 86 

Moneys— not to be appropriated, unless, etc 51 



ANCIEttT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 209 

Page 

N. 

Name, etc. , of new member to be sent to District 31 

■* of Order not to be used, etc 75 

of Courts 75 

New business 44 

" members — voting, etc., by. 70 

" " approval to initiate 78 

" Courts — initiation fees and clearances in. . 71 

Nomination of officers 41 

Nominations— S. H. C, committee on 129 

Notes— explanatory for keeping books, etc 178-185 

Notice of expulsion for cause— form of 202 

" appeal — form of 192 

Notification by Secretary of death of End. member — form of 199 

" " to Woodwards, etc., — form of 201 

O. 

Officers— absent at meetings 7 

roll call of 10, 41 

'• nomination of 45 

" election of 45, 46 

" installation of. 46 

• ' removal and impeachment of, 74 

" appointed, not to be installed 186 

" of District — ballotting for 187 

Opening of Courts 7, 9 

Order— name of, not to be used, etc 75 

" S. H. C, committee on state of 128 

Organization of Courts 98-105 

Other entries in minute book 136-140 

P. 

Pass-word 8-9 

" authority for giving 186 

" and honorary members 187 

Past honors— retention of. : 70 

Payments— sick 189 

of bills 50 

Per capita tax of S. H. C 189 

" diem, etc., S. H. C, committee on 128 

Physician — certificates of, for endowment claim — form of. . 198 

Principles to be adopted by Courts 103-105 

Printing — S. H. C, committee on 127 



210 ANCIENT ORDER OE FORESTERS' MANUAL. 

Page 

Proof of death, etc., for endowment claim — forms of 197 

Proposition of candidates 32 

" clearance members 32 

" for suspended member to be reinstated, 32 

" and initiation at same meeting 84 

Prosperity — the means of 91 

Public installations 49 

Q. 

Quorom — absence of, at Court meeting 79 

E. 

Recess 37-38 

Receipt— contribution card, best form of 39 

Recording minutes— form of. 132-140 

Reinstatement of Courts seceded and suspended 85 

" " suspended members 34-35 

Rejected candidates — names of, to be returned 16 

..19,20 

Removal of Courts 71 

and impeachment of officers and delegates 7-t 

Report of Auditors — form of 173-176 

Resolutions of S. H. C. Meetings 185-189 

Return sheets — directions for directory 105-114 

financial 115-123 

" of roll of membership 114-115 

4 ' on appeal — form of 193 

Returns to S. H. C. and District 64 

Roll of membership — return sheet of. 114-115 

S. 

Secret meetings 84 

Secretary — Recording 38 

Financial - 38-39 

" change of 47 

" notification by, to Woodwards — form of 201 

" " of end. mem. death " 199 

Secretary's warrant— form of 177 

Sick and distressed 12 

" pay — payment of. 189 

Sickness — declaration of— form of 201 

State of the Order, S. H. C, — committee on 128 



ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS* MANUAL. 2ll 

Page 

Subsidiary High Court — withdrawal from 76, 92 

form of 199 

returns to 64, 189 

communications from 76 

reports, reading of, etc 81 

joining 93 

" form of application for 200 

Standing Committees and duties . . 124 
Special " " ..129 

resolutions and decision by 185-189 

per capita tax 189 

Sunday — business on, not allowed 75 

Suspension of Courts 82 

Suspended and seceded Courts — reinstatement of. 85 

" members 41 

T. 

Treasurer 38-39 

« ' payments by, and receipts 91 

" accounts by — form of. 172 

" warrant " 177 

bond " 194 

Trustees. , 47-48 

U. 

Unfinished business 44 

Unwritten work, S. H. C, — committee on 127 

Use of gavel 186 

V. 

Visitors 9 

Visiting officials 11 

" Courts by members holding clearance 188 

Voting, etc., by new members 70 

W. 

Warrants— Secretary's — form of 177 

" Treasurer's " 177 

Withdrawal from S. H. C. and District 76, 92 

form of 199 

Woodwards 8 

" to be notified by Sec. of sick member — form of 201 

Work, S. H. C. — committee on unwritten 127 

" " written 127 

Written work " 127 



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